European and US Cellulase Patents granted to Direvo Industrial Biotechnology GmbH

Cologne, Germany, May 21, 2013. Direvo Industrial Biotechnology GmbH (Direvo), an expert in enzyme development and optimization from Cologne, announced today the granting of U.S. and European Patents covering novel cellulase enzymes. Cellulase enzymes cleave plant based cellulose into small sugars and are used in numerous applications including production of pulp & paper, biofuels and synthesis of platform chemicals from renewable sources.

The granted patents, “POLYPEPTIDES HAVING CELLOBIOHYDROLASE II ACTIVITY”, describe improved cellulase enzymes having cellobiohydrolase II activity (CBH II) and methods to produce these enzymes. The CBH II enzymes have higher specific activity and show significantly increased performance compared to available cellulase enzymes.
Direvo´s CEO Jorg Riesmeier stated, “These granted patents will further strengthen our intellectual property portfolio protecting Direvo´s cutting edge technologies, providing additional licensing opportunities and enhancing our competitive market position.”

The invention arose from the unique and well-protected research and discovery platform BluServTM. The platform allows fast and target-orientated optimization of a vast variety of enzymes and microbial strains. The effectiveness of this platform has been proven in several projects and resulted in the market launch of superior enzyme products.
About Direvo Industrial Biotechnology GmbH:
Direvo is a biotechnology company with focus on the biomass conversion industry. Direvo identifies bottlenecks and weaknesses in current industrial processes in this sector and develops and implements biology-based solutions together with large and small industrial partners. Direvo’s products are newly designed enzymes and microorganisms of the highest quality that provide easy-to-implement, cost-effective solutions. Direvo’s contribution assures that partners stay competitive and profitable while supporting them to make the future cleaner, greener and safer. More information about Direvo is available on www.direvo.com.

Author: Klaudija Milos

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