Codexis Enters Exclusive Licensing Agreement for Newly Engineered Double-Stranded DNA Ligase with Roche
February 26 2024 - 4:05PM
Codexis, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDXS), a leading enzyme engineering company,
today announced it has entered into an agreement with Roche for an
exclusive, global license for the Company’s newly engineered
double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) ligase for next-generation sequencing
(NGS) library preparation and the Company’s EvoT4™ DNA ligase.
Under the terms of the deal, Codexis will receive upfront and
technical milestone payments. This deal supersedes the prior
exclusive license on the EvoT4™ DNA ligase.
“This transaction is the latest example of our
ongoing commitment to focusing on the core areas of our business
where we have the biggest opportunity to create impact in the
market,” said Kevin Norrett, MBA, Chief Operating Officer of
Codexis. “Since announcing our prioritized strategy last July,
we’ve executed multiple deals to monetize our non-core assets with
market-leading companies. We are excited to collaborate again with
Roche on this novel, dsDNA ligase. As a leader in NGS technologies,
Roche continues to bring important kits to market that provide the
sensitivity and specificity required for the next wave of
innovative NGS applications. With Roche’s technical ability and
commercial reach, we now have the ability to maximize the potential
of our dsDNA ligase.”
Engineered using Codexis’ proprietary
CodeEvolver® technology, this newly engineered dsDNA ligase
improves the ligation efficiency of DNA fragments and adapters,
without bias, during NGS library preparation. This is especially
beneficial for NGS workflows requiring the highest sensitivity,
even when the amount of starting material is constrained. Compared
to wild-type enzyme, the newly engineered dsDNA ligase is developed
to higher ligation efficiency in shorter reaction times and higher
library yields and complexity, with minimal substrate sequence
bias.
About CodexisCodexis is a
leading enzyme engineering company leveraging its proprietary
CodeEvolver® technology platform to discover, develop and enhance
novel, high-performance enzymes and other classes of proteins.
Codexis enzymes solve for real-world challenges associated with
small molecule pharmaceuticals manufacturing and nucleic acid
synthesis. The Company is currently developing its proprietary ECO
Synthesis™ platform to enable the scaled manufacture of RNAi
therapeutics through an enzymatic route. Codexis’ unique enzymes
can drive improvements such as higher yields, reduced energy usage
and waste generation, improved efficiency in manufacturing and
greater sensitivity in genomic and diagnostic applications. For
more information, visit www.codexis.com.
Forward-Looking StatementsThis
press release may contain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by
terminology such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,”
“contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “design,” “due,” “estimate,”
“expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,”
“positioned,” “potential,” “predict,” “seek,” “should,” “suggest,”
“target,” “on track,” “will,” “would” and other similar expressions
that are predictions of or indicate future events and future
trends, or the negative of these terms or other comparable
terminology. To the extent that statements contained in this press
release are not descriptions of historical facts, they are
forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and
expectations of management, including but not limited to the
potential benefits of the parties’ collaboration, including the
anticipated impacts thereof on Codexis’ financial success, and the
potential commercial success of the Codexis-engineered dsDNA
ligases. You should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases,
beyond Codexis’ control and that could materially affect actual
results. Factors that could materially affect actual results
include, among others: Codexis’ dependence on its licensees and
collaborators; if any of its collaborators terminate their
development programs under their respective license agreements with
Codexis; Codexis may need additional capital in the future in order
to expand its business; if Codexis is unable to successfully
develop new technology such as its ECO Synthesis™ platform and
dsRNA; Codexis' dependence on a limited number of products and
customers, and potential adverse effects to Codexis’ business if
its customers’ products are not received well in the markets; if
Codexis is unable to develop and commercialize new products for its
target markets; if competitors and potential competitors who have
greater resources and experience than Codexis develop products and
technologies that make Codexis’ products and technologies obsolete;
if Codexis is unable to accurately forecast financial and
operational performance; and market and economic conditions may
negatively impact Codexis' business, financial condition and share
price. Additional information about factors that could materially
affect actual results can be found in Codexis’ Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
on February 27, 2023 and in Codexis’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
filed with the SEC on November 3, 2023, including under the caption
“Risk Factors,” and in Codexis’ other periodic reports filed with
the SEC. Codexis expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to
update these forward-looking statements, except as required by
law.
For More Information
Investor ContactCarrie McKim(336)
608-9706ir@codexis.com
Media ContactLauren Musto(650)
412-8205media@codexis.com
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