BioEnergy International, LLC Acquires Assets of OmniGene Bioproducts, Inc.
QUINCY, Mass., July 18 /PRNewswire/ -- BioEnergy International, LLC (BioEnergy), a privately-held, biotech-based developer and manufacturer of next-generation, renewable biochemicals and biofuels, announces the acquisition of certain assets of OmniGene Bioproducts, Inc. (OBI) and the integration of its current employees. OBI, currently based in Cambridge, MA, possesses core competencies and proprietary Bacillus host technology and metabolic pathway engineering expertise to develop efficient strains for the fermentative production of commercial products.
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OBI's scientists are industry leaders with a broad range of expertise in molecular biology, cell biology, and fermentation technology, with Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacterium glutamicum, Escherichia coli, Streptomyces, and yeast species. "The addition of Jan Pero, Rog Yocum, and their world-renowned R&D team, as well as their library of proprietary strains, organisms and plasmids, represents an enormous complement to and expansion of BioEnergy's existing cutting-edge microbial platform development, said Stephen J. Gatto, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BioEnergy. "OBI's track record of successfully commercializing products over the years has clearly set them apart in the marketplace. We look forward to their immediate contributions toward making BioEnergy the premier industrial bioproducts player in the industry."
The OBI personnel will be incorporated into BioEnergy's existing Research & Development Group, located in Woburn, MA. "As attractive as OBI's proprietary organism portfolio is, the real strength of this transaction is the addition of this entire team's core competency and track record of metabolic pathway engineering," said Dr. Joseph Glas, Senior Vice President of BioEnergy's R&D Group. "The OBI scientists represent an immediate enhancement and growth of BioEnergy's strain improvement & development program for biochemicals and biofuels."
Dr. Janice Pero, President of OBI, has over 25 years of experience in research management and is an expert in gene regulation, excelling in the genetic engineering and molecular biology of Bacillus and Streptomyces species. Dr. Pero was an Associate Professor at Harvard University, and a founder of BioTechnica International in 1981, before starting OBI in 1995. Dr. Pero received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Harvard University.
Dr. Rog Yocum, Senior Program Director at OBI, is an expert in genetic engineering of biochemical pathways in bacteria and yeast, and genetic engineering of industrial yeasts. Dr. Yocum was a founder of BioTechnica International in 1981 and served as a Program Director before joining OBI as a founding member. Dr. Yocum received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Harvard University.
"We are pleased that OBI's approach, which combines our expertise in genetic engineering with computer-controlled fermentation technology to develop highly productive strains that convert inexpensive sugars into high value specialty products, is completely complementary to BioEnergy's strategic mission," said Dr. Pero. "We are excited to combine our resources in the development of further proprietary technology and strains."
About OBI
OmniGene Bioproducts, Inc. is a privately held biotech company that has been active in the field of metabolic engineering for more than 12 years, with a focus on producing vitamins and amino acids by fermentation from renewable resources. OBI's small but highly productive group of scientists has been responsible for the development of food grade bacteria that produce riboflavin (vitamin B2), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), and the amino acid methionine. In all cases, the organisms and processes developed by OBI's scientists have set records for the highest published titers of their respective products. For more information visit www.omnigenebioproducts.com.
About BioEnergy
BioEnergy International, LLC is a privately held science and technology company focused on developing innovative biorefineries using novel biocatalysts for the production of high-value renewable fuels and bio-based polymer precursors and intermediates used by energy companies, specialty chemical companies, and manufacturers in a wide range of consumer products. Led by a world-renowned team of molecular biologists, engineers, and chemists, BioEnergy utilizes proprietary technology to advance the development of low- cost cellulosic sugars for the sustainable production of high-value specialty chemicals and renewable fuels. The company's strategic vision is to replace a barrel of crude with a pound of sugar derived from waste for the manufacture of everything from the fuel we put in our cars to the plastics and fabrics we use in our everyday lives. For more information, visit www.bioenergyllc.com.
Contact: Stephen J. Gatto, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
CONTACT: Stephen J. Gatto, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer or Samuel
G. McConnell, Sr. Vice President, Corporate Development, both of BioEnergy
International, LLC, +1-617-657-5200
Web site: http://www.bioenergyllc.com/
http://www.omnigenebioproducts.com/