Codexis receives U.S. patent for enzymes utilized in HCV therapeutics

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.