Diversa Expands Foreign Rights for Product Discovery From Biodiversity
Monday December 15, 6:30 am ET
Patent Issuances Protect Technologies for Rapid Discovery of Protein Products From the Environment
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Diversa Corporation (Nasdaq: DVSA - News) today announced the issuance of Australian Patent No. 767,618, directed to the discovery of proteins from gene libraries derived from samples of multiple species, such as environmental samples. The company also announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 6,656,677, directed to liquid phase expression screening of libraries made from DNA of more than one species. These expression-based screening technologies are complementary to Diversa's pioneering metagenomic, or mixed genome, sequencing technologies that permit efficient, large-scale sequencing from the environment. The combination of these technologies allows Diversa to understand the function of genes and to identify previously undiscovered protein product candidates from the environment. In addition, these technologies produce high quality environmental genome sequences and have served as the foundation for a microbial genome sequencing project with the Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute.
"We are pleased to expand our intellectual property estate both domestically and abroad with the issuance of these fundamental patents directed to technologies that enable the rapid discovery of genes from the environment," stated Jay M. Short, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Diversa Corporation.
Australian Patent No. 767,618 is directed to the discovery of proteins from gene libraries derived from multiple species, including eukaryotic organisms, such as fungi, plants, and insects, as well as prokaryotic organisms, such as bacteria and archaea. This patent is the latest addition to Diversa's extensive patent estate covering the screening of gene products in a variety of hosts, including both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms.
U.S. Patent No. 6,656,677 is directed to liquid phase screening, which is fundamental for high-throughput genomics-based discovery of products from biodiversity. These technologies encompass a variety of powerful ultra high- throughput screening methods that make the efficient screening of large and complex collections like DiverseLibraries(TM) and PathwayLibraries(TM) possible. Diversa estimates that its proprietary collections contain the genes and gene pathways from millions of microbial genomes, comprising billions of genes. Methods covered by this patent include high-density robotic assay screening and FACS (Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter) screening that enable the screening of over billion genes per day.
About Diversa
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. In addition, Diversa has formed alliances and joint ventures with market leaders, such as BASF, The Dow Chemical Company, DuPont Bio-Based Materials, Givaudan Flavors Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Invitrogen Corporation, and affiliates of Syngenta AG. Additional information is available at Diversa's website: www.diversa.com . |
