Merck Signs Licensing Deal to Use Codexis’ Protein Engineering Technology

Codexis, a developer of biocatalysts for the pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries, has signed an agreement with Merck, under which Merck is granted a non-exclusive license to use Codexis’ proprietary CodeEvolver protein engineering platform technology to develop novel enzymes for use in the manufacture of Merck’s pharmaceutical products. The transaction marks the second CodeEvolver licensing agreement between Codexis and a major pharmaceutical company.

Codexis’ CodeEvolver protein engineering platform will be located at a Merck research site following completion of the technology transfer. Codexis will receive up to $18 million over the next 15 to 24 months, which includes $5 million as upfront payment upon signing of the deal and an additional $13 million subject to the satisfactory completion of certain technology transfer milestones. Codexis will also be eligible to receive payments of up to maximum of $15 million for each API using novel enzymes developed by Merck using the CodeEvolver technology and used for commercial manufacturing purposes. 

CodeEvolver is a protein engineering platform developed by Codexis that enables rapid development of custom-designed enzymes for efficient manufacturing processes. The CodeEvolver platform consists of proprietary methods for the optimization of proteins through the design and generation of diverse genetic libraries, automated screening techniques, algorithms for the interpretation of screening data, and predictive modelling.

Source: Codexis