Evonik to buy fermentative methionine production technology from METEX

ESSEN, GERMANY/CLERMONT-FERRAND, FRANCE: Evonik Industries AG has agreed to buy a technology package from METabolic EXplorer (METEX), strengthening its biotechnology platform for amino acids.

The package includes METEX’s entire technology portfolio for the fermentative production of methionine, as well as patents, essential bacteria strains, and the inoLa brand. METEX considers that this agreement will highlight the relevance of its substitute technologies and will reinforce its ability to commercialise its other technologies.

The deal also includes a back-license agreement relating to certain patents to be transferred to Evonik; this contract will allow METEX to continue using these patents for activities other than those relating to methionine. Moreover, the companies mean to explore the possibility of an R&D collaboration agreement on the development of biotechnologically produced amino acids.

The total consideration for the transfer of this technology, including a two-year transfer service agreement, amounts to €45 million.

Amino acids produced by fermentation are an important pillar of Evonik’s product portfolio for sustainable animal nutrition. Production process efficiency for Biolys (lysine), ThreAMINO (threonine) and TrypAMINO (tryptophane) has been continuously improved over the past few years, and the portfolio was recently expanded to include ValAMINO (valine).

“Through its fermentative methionine production process, METEX has demonstrated excellent development work and was able to secure wide-ranging patent protection. The acquisition of this technology will expand our technological leadership for amino acids produced both chemically and by fermentation,” said Dr Emmanuel Auer, head of Evonik’s animal nutrition business line.

“We have been able to show that the fermentation process for manufacturing methionine is a potential alternative to familiar manufacturing routes. The technology will be transferred to Evonik immediately after the required approval of Evonik committees. This is expected before mid-December 2016,” said Benjamin Gonzalez, CEO of METEX.

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