MARLBOROUGH, England and SAN DIEGO, March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Danisco Animal Nutrition and Diversa Corporation (Nasdaq: DVSA - News) have been granted FDA authorization to market their new phytase feed enzyme, Phyzyme(TM) XP, to the US animal feed industry. Phyzyme(TM) XP has been developed under a strategic alliance between Danisco Animal Nutrition and Diversa Corporation. Under this collaboration, Diversa is responsible for manufacturing, while Danisco Animal Nutrition holds exclusive worldwide marketing rights. The product will be formally launched by Danisco Animal Nutrition to the international poultry and swine industry at the VIV Asia exhibition, which will be held in Thailand in March 2003.
Phytase is widely used in the animal feed industry to increase absorption of organic phosphorus from feed and reduce output of phosphorus to the environment. The worldwide market for phytase was approximately $135 million in 2002, representing a two-fold increase in two years. This growth has been driven by economics as well as regulatory pressure to decrease pollution caused by the phosphate-rich waste from swine and poultry farms that is a leading cause of water pollution.
"The launch of Phyzyme XP is an exciting addition to our fast growing portfolio and is an important milestone in our strategy to bring additional sustainable nutrition solutions to our customers," stated James Laughton, President of Danisco Animal Nutrition.
"The commercialization of this product represents the achievement of an important corporate goal for Diversa," stated Jay M. Short, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Diversa Corporation. "We believe this product clearly demonstrates Diversa's ability to address high-value, high-growth markets using our technologies."
Danisco Animal Nutrition (UK) is the feed ingredients business unit of Danisco A/S, Denmark, one of the world's leading suppliers of food ingredients. Danisco's animal nutrition division was first established in the early 1980's and pioneered the development and use of enzymes and betaine in animal nutrition. Today, the division supplies enzymes, betaine and flavours to improve the nutrition of poultry, pigs and some aqua species. The division's mission is to provide sustainable animal nutrition solutions that meet the consumer's demand for safe, high quality food at an affordable price, with care and attention to the environment. Additional information is available at Danisco Animal Nutrition's website: www.danisco.com/animalnutrition .
Diversa Corporation is a leader in applying proprietary genomic technologies for the rapid discovery and optimization of novel products from genes and gene pathways. Diversa is directing its integrated portfolio of technologies to the discovery, evolution, and production of commercially valuable molecules with pharmaceutical applications, such as optimized monoclonal antibodies and orally active drugs, as well as enzymes and small molecules with agricultural, chemical, and industrial applications. Diversa has formed alliances with market leaders, such as Celera Genomics, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont Bio-Based Materials, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Invitrogen Corporation, and Syngenta AG. Additional information is available at Diversa's website: www.diversa.com . |
