Diversa licenses enzyme for chiral intermediate to BASF
US-based Diversa Corporation has licensed a proprietary enzyme for the biocatalytic synthesis of a pharmaceutical chiral intermediate to BASF.
US-based Diversa Corporation has licensed a proprietary enzyme for the biocatalytic synthesis of a pharmaceutical chiral intermediate to BASF.
This is the first product licensed under the broad collaborative agreement between the companies to develop biocatalysts and biological processes for a variety of chemical opportunities.
BASF markets a broad and growing portfolio of chiral products under its ChiPros brand, including optically active amines, alcohols, epoxides and acids and their derivatives. The enzyme licensed to BASF was derived from one of Diversa's DiscoveryPoint enzyme platforms.
'Diversa and BASF have been working together to develop high-performing biocatalysts since early 2002, and we're pleased with the commercial success of our collaboration,' said Dr Jay M. Short, president and ceo of Diversa Corporation. 'We are hopeful that this will be the first of several commercial licenses to be signed under this collaboration with BASF.'
'By licensing this enzyme, we further leverage our proprietary biocatalytic process technology,' added Dr Udo Rheude, director of BASF's global new business development chemical intermediates. 'This enables us to broaden our ChiPros portfolio and to fulfil a specific customer request.
'With the Diversa collaboration, new enzymes supplement our strong base in biotechnological processes.'