Codexis, Inc. (Nasdaq:CDXS), a developer of cost-advantaged processes
for the production of biofuels, bio-based chemicals, and pharmaceutical
intermediates, today announced that the United States Patent and
Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted Codexis' patent covering the
biocatalysts and biocatalytic processes used to make key pharmaceutical
intermediates in the synthesis of leading hepatitis-C therapeutics.
The patent is titled "BIOCATALYTIC PROCESSES FOR THE PREPARATION OF
SUBSTANTIALLY STEREOMERICALLY PURE FUSED BICYCLIC PROLINE COMPOUNDS" and
was issued as U.S. patent number 8,178,333. The 20-year term of this
patent does not expire until 2029.
"The patent is another example of how the Codexis CodeEvolver™ platform
is enabling breakthrough biocatalytic processes to produce
pharmaceutical intermediates, in this case for the latest hepatitis-C
therapeutics," said Peter Seufer-Wasserthal, Senior Vice President,
Codexis Pharmaceuticals. "This patent specifically provides exclusivity
for the use of our novel biocatalysts and production processes in the
manufacture of these key intermediates. The ability to provide custom
and high-performance manufacturing processes for our pharmaceuticals
customers creates a competitive advantage for Codexis. "
This patent follows a recently published article in the Journal of
the American Chemical Society (JACS) that discusses collaborative
research conducted by Merck and Codexis scientists to develop a highly
efficient, enzyme-based production method for a key intermediate in the
production of boceprevir.
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