Commercializating Novel Yeast to Enhanced Ethanol Production

Verdezyne, Inc., an industrial biotechnology company, and Lallemand Ethanol Technology, a global provider of yeast to the fuel ethanol industry, today announced they have signed an agreement to develop and commercialize a genetically enhanced high-yield ethanol producing yeast.

Verdezyne will use its suite of metabolic engineering tools to rapidly introduce a proprietary pathway into an industrial yeast strain provided by Lallemand. The enhanced yeast will produce more ethanol per unit of glucose compared with currently available strains. Lallemand will be responsible for process development, manufacturing and worldwide commercialization of the novel yeast. Under the terms of the agreement, Verdezyne will receive patent license fees and royalty payments.

“Verdezyne is excited about this partnership, and we are looking forward to a highly productive collaboration with Lallemand, a global leader in fermentation technology,” said E. William Radany, Ph.D., Verdezyne President & CEO. “We are confident that our combined efforts will allow us to accelerate development and commercialization of this innovative yeast.”

“We believe Verdezyne is the right partner to develop an enhanced yeast with properties that are very desirable to today’s ethanol producers,” said Bill Nankervis, President of Lallemand Specialties, Inc. and General Manager of Lallemand Ethanol Technology. “This agreement represents a commitment on behalf of Verdezyne and Lallemand to provide a superior yeast that will deliver improved profitability and sustainability to our customers.”

About Verdezyne

Verdezyne, Inc. is a privately-held company that uses its suite of proprietary metabolic engineering technologies to create novel microorganisms for cost effective commercial production of biofuels and chemicals. Investors in Verdezyne include OVP Venture Partners, Monitor Ventures, Tech Coast Angels and Life Science Angels. For more information on Verdezyne, visit www.verdezyne.com.

About Lallemand Ethanol Technology

Lallemand Ethanol Technology (LET) is a business unit of the Canadian yeast and bacteria producer Lallemand Inc. Based in Milwaukee, WI, Lallemand Ethanol Technology is the leading supplier of fermentation ingredients and value creating services to the global fuel ethanol and distilled beverage alcohol markets. For more information on LET, please visit www.ethanoltech.com.

About Lallemand Inc.

Lallemand Inc. is a privately held Canadian company specializing in the research, development, production, marketing and distribution of yeast and bacteria. Lallemand has approximately 2,200 employees located in more than 30 countries on all continents. For more information about Lallemand, please visit www.lallemand.com.

source: benzinga