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Novozymes and NREL reduce enzyme cost
FOCUS that affect DNA and RNA. As well as its own production the company has substantial imports of enzymes, analytical instruments, PCR instruments, and laboratory equipment. Its first enzyme was Dynazyme I DNA Polymerase which was commercialised in 1991. This was isolated from a heat-stable strain of bacteria found in hot sources in Iceland. Since that time Finnzymes has searched in many parts of the world for new thermophilic bacteria containing DNA polymerases, including the easternmost parts of Russia. The company spends 25-30% of its turnover on research in which half its 60 employees work. One of its newest projects is Phusion DNA polymerase which it developed in collaboration with M J Bioworks, US, and which involves binding a protein to the polymerase to boost the enzyme’s processing activity 10-fold and to increase its precision. Finnzymes is the only Finnish biotechnology company that has not had to resort to venture capital. Its only contribution came from the technology centre Tekes, for various R&D projects and, in its first year of operations, a startup fund from its American partner New England Biolabs. Kemivarlden Biotech, May 2005, (5), 20
Gaz de France linking with chemical industry Gas de France aims to have closer ties with the chemical industry. Some history and activities of the company are discussed. It has 600 R&D staff and has developed flameless catalytic combustion to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. It also helps chemical companies to finance investments for combined heat and power. European Chemical News, 30 May 2005, 82 (2149), 20-21
Mitsui to establish auto catalyst production firm in India Mitsui Kinzoku is to establish a company in India to make and sell automotive catalysts. The move is in response to increasingly strict emission regulations in the country. The new company will be established in Jun 2005 and will start operations in Oct 2006. It will be capitalised at
4
ON
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Rup 200 M and will be based in the Baul industrial complex. Mitsui plans to invest Yen 500 M on plant and equipment by fiscal 2007 and expects to have a capacity of 4 M unit/y. Japan Chemical Week, 19 May 2005, 46 (2318), 1,4
Nova Chemicals licensing deal with Westlake for polyethylene catalysts Novacat polyethylene catalysts are to be used by Westlake Petrochemicals for its gas phase LLDPE production under a licence from Nova Chemicals. The catalysts were originally developed by Innovene. European Chemical News, 23 May 2005, 82 (2148), 15 & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 23 May 2005, (299), 12 (in French)
Chemical leaders: Novozymes Novozymes has a 44% share of the world enzymes market. An important question for the company is whether it can win share from rival Genencor, which has been taken over by Danisco. Novozymes had food and feed enzyme sales up 8.5% and 6.8% in 1Q 2005. Growth for the company’s phytase feed enzyme is slowing with the greater penetration in developed markets, but there are strong prospects in S America and Asia where penetration is just 10-15%. In the detergent sector, Novozymes has launched a new cold-water enzyme called Polarzyme, which analysts say could yield sales of up to $20 M over the next few years. But the important thing will be how Novartis progresses in expanding its portfolio outside enzymes, focussing on its core protein engineering, formulation, and production technologies. Around 13% of R&D spending is outside existing business fields. Key areas are biopolymers, antimicrobial peptides, contract manufacturing, low allergenic protein technologies, microbial production of antibodies, and niche pharmaceuticals. Chemical Market Reporter, 30 May 2005 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Novozymes and NREL reduce enzyme cost In Jan 2001, Novozymes and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) entered into a collaborative research subcontract
totalling $14.8 M over three years, with a one-year extension worth $2.3 M granted in Apr 2004. The project sought to dramatically cut the cost of converting cellulose biomass from corn stover into sugars for making fuel ethanol and other valuable products. The project goal has been achieved: the cost of enzymes for biomassbased fuel ethanol production has been reduced to $0.10-0.18/gal in laboratory trials, a 30-fold reduction since 2001. Enzymes are no longer the main economic barriers in the commercialisation of biomass technology. Novozymes is currently supplying a range of enzymes for corn-based fuel ethanol production, mainly in the US. US fuel ethanol production has grown rapidly over the past few years and totalled 3.5 bn gal in 2004, up more than 20%, benefiting from environmental legislation and a political drive towards more sustainable fuel sources. Press release from: Novozymes, USA. Website: http://www.novozymes.com (14 Apr 2005)
Biotechnology: gold in them thar’ bugs: Novozymes In Nov 2000, Novo Nordisk split off Novozymes to concentrate on making enzymes. Although originally designed to break away from the pharmaceutical sector, Novozymes is now using its enzyme production expertise to look into potential biopharmaceutical applications as part of its expansion plans. In 2003, a project to investigate allergens was established, particularly those from household dust mites. European Chemical News, 23 May 2005, 82 (2148), 23-24
New products in Novozymes’ pipeline Novozymes has a number of new products in the pipeline which, on the enzyme front, include the first product from the collaboration with Chr Hansen. This is a phospholipase enzyme for cheese production which was one of the products identified at the start of the collaboration. This should come on the market in 2005. Novozymes is also working on various concepts for the paper and pulp industry, which is a promising new area. Dagbladet Borsen, 12 May 2005, 110 (89), 5 (in Danish)
JULY 2005
Gaz de France linking with chemical industry Gas de France aims to have closer ties with the chemical industry. Some history and activities of the company are discussed. It has 600 R&D staff and has developed flameless catalytic combustion to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. It also helps chemical companies to finance investments for combined heat and power. European Chemical News, 30 May 2005, 82 (2149), 20-21
Mitsui to establish auto catalyst production firm in India Mitsui Kinzoku is to establish a company in India to make and sell automotive catalysts. The move is in response to increasingly strict emission regulations in the country. The new company will be established in Jun 2005 and will start operations in Oct 2006. It will be capitalised at
4
ON
C ATA LY S T S
Rup 200 M and will be based in the Baul industrial complex. Mitsui plans to invest Yen 500 M on plant and equipment by fiscal 2007 and expects to have a capacity of 4 M unit/y. Japan Chemical Week, 19 May 2005, 46 (2318), 1,4
Nova Chemicals licensing deal with Westlake for polyethylene catalysts Novacat polyethylene catalysts are to be used by Westlake Petrochemicals for its gas phase LLDPE production under a licence from Nova Chemicals. The catalysts were originally developed by Innovene. European Chemical News, 23 May 2005, 82 (2148), 15 & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 23 May 2005, (299), 12 (in French)
Chemical leaders: Novozymes Novozymes has a 44% share of the world enzymes market. An important question for the company is whether it can win share from rival Genencor, which has been taken over by Danisco. Novozymes had food and feed enzyme sales up 8.5% and 6.8% in 1Q 2005. Growth for the company’s phytase feed enzyme is slowing with the greater penetration in developed markets, but there are strong prospects in S America and Asia where penetration is just 10-15%. In the detergent sector, Novozymes has launched a new cold-water enzyme called Polarzyme, which analysts say could yield sales of up to $20 M over the next few years. But the important thing will be how Novartis progresses in expanding its portfolio outside enzymes, focussing on its core protein engineering, formulation, and production technologies. Around 13% of R&D spending is outside existing business fields. Key areas are biopolymers, antimicrobial peptides, contract manufacturing, low allergenic protein technologies, microbial production of antibodies, and niche pharmaceuticals. Chemical Market Reporter, 30 May 2005 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Novozymes and NREL reduce enzyme cost In Jan 2001, Novozymes and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) entered into a collaborative research subcontract
totalling $14.8 M over three years, with a one-year extension worth $2.3 M granted in Apr 2004. The project sought to dramatically cut the cost of converting cellulose biomass from corn stover into sugars for making fuel ethanol and other valuable products. The project goal has been achieved: the cost of enzymes for biomassbased fuel ethanol production has been reduced to $0.10-0.18/gal in laboratory trials, a 30-fold reduction since 2001. Enzymes are no longer the main economic barriers in the commercialisation of biomass technology. Novozymes is currently supplying a range of enzymes for corn-based fuel ethanol production, mainly in the US. US fuel ethanol production has grown rapidly over the past few years and totalled 3.5 bn gal in 2004, up more than 20%, benefiting from environmental legislation and a political drive towards more sustainable fuel sources. Press release from: Novozymes, USA. Website: http://www.novozymes.com (14 Apr 2005)
Biotechnology: gold in them thar’ bugs: Novozymes In Nov 2000, Novo Nordisk split off Novozymes to concentrate on making enzymes. Although originally designed to break away from the pharmaceutical sector, Novozymes is now using its enzyme production expertise to look into potential biopharmaceutical applications as part of its expansion plans. In 2003, a project to investigate allergens was established, particularly those from household dust mites. European Chemical News, 23 May 2005, 82 (2148), 23-24
New products in Novozymes’ pipeline Novozymes has a number of new products in the pipeline which, on the enzyme front, include the first product from the collaboration with Chr Hansen. This is a phospholipase enzyme for cheese production which was one of the products identified at the start of the collaboration. This should come on the market in 2005. Novozymes is also working on various concepts for the paper and pulp industry, which is a promising new area. Dagbladet Borsen, 12 May 2005, 110 (89), 5 (in Danish)
JULY 2005