Metabolix, Inc., an innovation-driven bioscience company focused on delivering sustainable solutions for plastics, chemicals and energy, today announced that it has signed a letter of intent (“LOI”) with Antibióticos S.A. for production of MirelTM biopolymer resin at its manufacturing facility in Leon, Spain.
Under the terms of the LOI, Metabolix will begin work immediately with Antibióticos to conduct a series of validation production runs to demonstrate fermentation and recovery of Mirel biopolymer resin on full production-scale equipment at Antibióticos. The companies plan to enter into a definitive contract manufacturing agreement for Mirel biopolymers based upon the validation production runs as well as completion of economic and engineering feasibility studies. Metabolix will own the Mirel biopolymer resin produced during the validation production runs.
“The agreement with Antibióticos represents a significant step forward in establishing a new supply chain for Mirel biopolymers to serve our customers worldwide and to continue product development in high value-added applications,” said Richard P. Eno, president and chief executive officer of Metabolix. “In addition, Antibióticos is located in the European Union near many of our targeted customers. We are impressed with the track record, technical expertise and facilities at Antibioticos, and believe their equipment is well-suited to the manufacturing process used to produce Mirel biopolymers at commercial scale.”
“This agreement brings together our experience and technical capacity with Metabolix’s technology and processes in a way that supports the values and vision of both companies,” said Daniele Pucci Di Benisichi, president of Antibióticos. “The first step of our work with Metabolix will be to validate their technology in our facility. Then, we’ll look ahead to creating a contract manufacturing agreement. Antibióticos follows a very demanding and selective approach for new projects and partners, and we’re particularly pleased to be working with Metabolix to deepen our work in sustainable technologies and diversify our business portfolio.”
Metabolix’s biopolymers are based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (“PHA”) which occur naturally in micro-organisms and plants. Mirel biopolymers are biobased, uniquely biodegradable, and suitable for a wide range of product applications. Metabolix has previously demonstrated production of Mirel biopolymer resin at industrial scale. Metabolix is currently supplying Mirel biopolymer resin to customers from existing inventory of approximately 5 million pounds.
About Antibióticos
Antibióticos, S.A. is a world leader with more than 50 years listed among the leading producers of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). Its expertise lies in both fermentation and semi-synthesis processes where the company has become a global reference. Antibióticos, S.A. offers contract manufacturing services to multinational corporations, large pharmaceutical organizations and other companies outsourcing products for toll manufacturing. As a strong key partner of multinational pharmaceutical companies for the production of APIs, its products are sold in more than 50 countries worldwide. Antibióticos, S.A. facilities have a long record of operating in compliance with GMP, ISO 9001 certification and are FDA Approved. Its fermentation facilities are capable of using different kinds of microorganisms, including fungi, yeasts, and bacteria. The company is operating under new ownership since 2009 which has brought a firm commitment and support for expanding its biotechnology business.
About Metabolix
Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation-driven bioscience company delivering sustainable solutions to the plastics, chemicals and energy industries. Metabolix is developing and commercializing MirelTM and MveralTM, a family of high-performance bioplastics which are biobased and biodegradable alternatives to many petroleum-based plastics. Metabolix’s biobased chemicals platform utilizes its novel “FAST” recovery process to enable the production of cost-effective, “drop-in” replacements for petroleum-based industrial chemicals. Metabolix is also developing a platform for co-producing plastics, chemicals and energy from crops. Metabolix has established an industry-leading intellectual property portfolio that, together with its knowledge of advanced industrial practice, provides a foundation for industry collaborations.
Contacts
Antibióticos S.A.
Carlos Domínguez de la Fuente
mail Carlosjdominguez@hotmail.com
Schwartz MSL Boston
Keith Giannini or Kirsten Swenson,
phone 781-684-0770
mail metabolix@schwartzmsl.com
Source
Metabolix, Inc., press release, 2012-07-26.
Supplier
Antibioticos
Metabolix
MIREL Plastics
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