March 13, 2012

Verenium, Novus eye next-generation phytase for commercialisation

In a strategic alliance to develop animal health and nutrition products, Verenium Corporation and Novus International have chosen a 'next-generation' phytase as their first enzyme for commercialisation.

Verenium's Chief Operating Officer, Janet Roemer, described the next-generation phytase as a lead product candidate to develop and an important milestone that the company was able to accomplish ahead of schedule. She said that work is being continued to move this product along towards commercialisation.

Roemer added that Verenium's product pipeline is an important driver of the company's future growth.

"We have three additional product candidates currently in late stage development for animal health and nutrition which are part of the suite of enzymes also being developed in partnership with Novus," she said.

"These are NSP, or non-starch polysaccharide enzymes which are increasingly being incorporated into wheat and barley diets to improve digestibility and feed conversion," Roemer added.

"These pipeline products, together with two advanced pipeline products for the oilseed processing industry, are on track for first commercial sales in the 2013 to 2015 time frame", she said.