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Novozymes acquires Delta Biotechnology

12 Jul 2006 - Novozymes has acquired Delta Biotechnology Ltd from the sanofi-aventis group. Established in 1984, Delta is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Novozymes A/S operating as a self-contained business unit with both its R&D and manufacturing facilities based in Nottingham, UK. The new company will operate under the name Novozymes Delta Ltd.
 
Novozymes Delta develops and manufactures recombinant protein products using highly engineered, proprietary //Saccharomyces cerevisiae// yeast strains. The Company also undertakes flexible licensing of its yeast based expression system to offer its pharmaceutical, healthcare and biotech partners customised solutions to their recombinant protein needs. Recombumin^® , the Company's lead product, is the world's first and only animal-free, commercially available recombinant human albumin; it is used in the manufacture of human therapeutics that have been approved by both the FDA and the EMEA.
 
Novozymes produces enzymes in a range of microorganisms and has acquired Delta as part of its strategy to extend its portfolio of products that are used as key ingredients in biopharmaceutical products.
 
Novozymes' CEO Steen Riisgaard said: "Delta Biotechnology is a good match for our existing projects in ingredients for the biopharmaceutical industry. The acquisition will bring us significant know-how and technology, and will support our continued expansion in this area."
 
Dermot Pearson, Commercial Operations Director of Novozymes Delta added, "Novozymes will set the direction and has the resources that will enable us to further progress our yeast-based protein expression capabilities to the benefit of our global customer base. The market for safe, animal-free recombinant proteins is growing and, with Novozymes backing us, we'll be in a great position to satisfy this market".