Verdezyne, Genencor sign second project

Web exclusive posted Jan. 16, 2009, at 10:33 a.m. CST

California-based Verdezyne Inc., formerly known as CODA Genomics, has signed a new project with Danisco A/S division Genencor, to provide its proprietary advanced computational algorithms to generate enzyme variants to assist with Genencor research initiatives.

Genencor develops and markets enzyme product solutions for multiple industries, including biofuels. The company also has a $17 million contract with the U.S. DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory to reduce the cost of enzymes used in biomass to ethanol conversions, and is working with Cargill Dow LLC to convert biomass into fermentable sugars for ethanol production and other chemicals.

Genencor and Verdezyne have been working together since October 2008, when they signed into a project which entails using Verdezyne's technologies to create diverse and complex libraries of synthetic genes and proteins for use in Genencor's future research programs. Verdezyne's technology platform involves the evolution of metabolic pathways for cost-effective commercial production of biofuels and platform chemicals.

Recently, Genencor announced it had extended its Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the USDA's Eastern Regional Research Center to continue development of an economically viable process for converting barley into ethanol. (Read "Genencor, USDA continue barley-to-ethanol research.")