Cre-Lox Materials
In 1998, the NIH and DuPont Pharmaceuticals entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which permits NIH/PHS scientists to use Cre-Lox technology in most research provided that research that is not "for the direct benefit of any for-profit institution." (A copy of the MOU is available from the NIH website.) Most important for Harvard, this MOU committed DuPont to enter into similar agreements with NIH-funded non-profit institutions.
Harvard subsequently signed a license with DuPont which gives University scientists the right to use the Cre-Lox technology for many types of research that are conducted at the University. However, there are certain restrictions - fields of research that are not covered and limitations on the further distribution of materials which contain cre DNA and/or lox DNA. In 2001, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMS) acquired DuPont Pharmaceuticals Company (DuPont) and thus Harvard's Cre-Lox license is now with Bristol-Myers Squibb.