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DSM and LibraGen sign agreement to co-develop transaminases for production of chiral amines

18 Sep 2008 - DSM and LibraGen announced that they have signed an agreement to co-develop new omega-transaminases for production of chiral amines. Under the terms of the partnership, LibraGen will use its proprietary enzyme discovery and development to identify new enzymes for efficient conversion of a large spectrum of ketons into optically pure R- and S-amines, a compound class highly relevant for fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries.
 
DSM will produce the enzymes at industrial scale using DSM's fermentation capabilities and proprietary expression platform, PluGbug(TM). LibraGen will sell the enzymes in kit form and both parties will use them for screening activities and the development of biocatalytic processes for third parties.
 
"This collaboration with LibraGen grows the number of available large-scale biocatalysts and will contribute to increasing competitiveness of the transaminase technology for production of chiral amines" said Oliver May, Competence Manager Biocatalysis at DSM Pharmaceutical Products. "In addition, by combining LibraGen's enzyme discovery and DSM's manufacturing capabilities the development timelines from enzyme discovery and screening to final product delivery to our customers will be significantly reduced" said Ronald Gebhard, R&D Director at DSM Pharmaceutical Products.
 
Financial details of the collaboration were not disclosed.