ProteoNic and Novozymes Sign Agreement for UNic™ yield enhancer
Leiden, 14 December 2009 – ProteoNic, the protein expression experts, and Novozymes, the global leader in industrial enzymes and microorganisms, have signed an agreement in which Novozymes gains the right to use ProteoNic’s UNic™ expression toolbox and specifically UNic-FTee™ for one of its leading enzyme products. Novozymes has also taken an option to license UNic-FTee™ for commercial production.
ProteoNic is one of very few companies in the world to address protein expression enhancement through mRNA optimization instead of standard DNA transcription methods. Its UNic™ Toolbox offers proprietary technologies for enhancing protein expression through this messenger RNA (mRNA) optimization. With its support, Novozymes will increase its protein yield while saving on production costs.
Carsten Hjort, Senior Director, Novozymes R&D: “Novozymes’ leading position in industrial enzymes has been gained through innovation and superior production capabilities. Continuously increasing production yields by improving our expression systems has been vital and are the result of a significant internal R&D effort over more than two decades, as well as collaboration with leading technology providers. Translation efficiency is one of the key steps in protein production that has been out of focus for Novozymes. Thanks to this agreement with the leading technology company in the field, Novozymes will be in the position to expand its focus to include translation efficiency”.
Victor Schut, ProteoNic CEO: “This agreement with the largest player in the industrial enzyme market is an acknowledgement of our expertise. It unequivocally demonstrates the value of our proprietary UNic™ yield enhancement toolbox for production in fungal host systems. We are very proud that our client base now comprises the largest part of the industrial enzyme producers, covering a significant range of different commercial products. Our position in the industrial enzyme market is confirmed.”
About Novozymes
Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a broad array of industries, we create tomorrow’s industrial biosolutions, improving our customers’ business, and the use of our planet’s resources.
With over 700 products used in 130 countries, Novozymes’ bioinnovations improve industrial performance and safeguard the world’s resources by offering superior and sustainable solutions for tomorrow’s ever-changing marketplace.
Novozymes’ natural solutions enhance and promote everything from removing trans-fats in food, to advancing biofuels to power the world tomorrow. Our never-ending exploration of nature’s potential is evidenced by over 6,000 patents, showing what is possible when nature and technology join forces.
Our 5,000+ employees working in research, production and sales around the world are committed to shaping business today and our world tomorrow.
Novozymes is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen A/S. Read more at www.novozymes.com.
About ProteoNic
ProteoNic, located in the Netherlands, offers specialized products and services in the field of improving protein expression. As one of the very few companies in the world, ProteoNic provides leading expertise in optimizing the translation of messenger RNA (mRNA). Services include construct design and cloning, transformation, and high-throughput screening of commercial protein production hosts.
Over the coming years, ProteoNic aims to establish its UNic™ technology as the state-of-the-art, industry standard within protein-based industries. ProteoNic’s activities focus on industry-relevant fungal, yeast, plant and mammalian expression hosts, for which it has developed platform-specific products and services. Its technology leads to significantly higher yields and greater manufacturing flexibility with lower production costs. www.proteonic.nl