Codexis, Inc. and Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Limited, India, today announced the signing of a manufacturing and supply agreement for a pharmaceutical intermediate for a generic drug. The novel cost-effective process was developed using Codexis’ biocatalytic technology platform. Under terms of the agreement, Shasun will manufacture the pharmaceutical compound and Codexis will market the product worldwide to the generic pharmaceutical industry. This agreement marks the initiation of direct product marketing for Codexis.

The process uses Codexis’ proprietary pharmaceutical process re-engineering platform to produce pharmaceutical intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients at significantly lower cost and with fewer by-products and impurities than conventional methods. The process involves a biocatalytic system that has been specifically developed to function optimally for the synthesis of the pharmaceutical intermediate in Shasun’s manufacturing facility.

Codexis will provide Shasun with commercial quantities of the novel biocatalyst for use in the production process and the companies will share profits on sales. Additional terms were not disclosed. The partnership draws upon Codexis’ expertise and track record in applying its leading directed evolution technology to high-value pharmaceutical products and Shasun’s capability in high-quality, competitive manufacturing for the global pharmaceutical industry.

“This is a significant agreement for Codexis, both in terms of leveraging our technology into the generics market and in launching our first direct product marketing,” said Alan Shaw, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Codexis. “Codexis’ directed evolution technologies continue to penetrate global pharmaceutical markets, in applications for both pharmaceutical innovators and the generics industry. Shasun has proven itself as a leader in the cost-effective production of pharmaceutical chemicals, with considerable experience in the generic industry. Codexis now has the unique opportunity to leverage Shasun’s core manufacturing and regulatory competence in combination with our own proprietary protein and strain engineering technologies in order to generate a clear competitive advantage in the generic pharmaceutical market.”

“We are delighted to be working with Codexis,” said Vimal Kumar, Joint Managing Director of Shasun. “Codexis has proven experience in creating and delivering value to the pharmaceutical industry through application of innovative biotechnology. Together with Shasun’s excellence in quality pharmaceutical manufacturing, Codexis innovative process should provide a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

Shasun is a leading research and manufacturing solutions provider for the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. The company has more than 1200 employees with activities in India, North America and Europe. Shasun’s products are sold in more than 40 countries across the world including all major regulated markets. Shasun has two bulk pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities at Pondicherry and Cuddalore that have been successfully inspected by the FDA, MCA, TGA and other regulatory bodies. Over 3500 tons of finished product is supplied from our sites every year. Shasun’s research and development center is located at Chennai. This center caters to in-house programs, contract research, and custom synthesis needs, and is well supported with sophisticated chemical process research and analytical infrastructure.

About Codexis, Inc.

Codexis is a privately held biosciences company applying proprietary protein and strain engineering technologies to create novel process development solutions for efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly pharmaceutical manufacturing. Application of the Codexis technology can also generate new intellectual property opportunities for pharmaceutical manufacturers, which may extend a product lifecycle. The company has more than 10 strategic alliances, including a major agreement with Pfizer, and more than 15 products and processes in development internally and at leading worldwide life sciences companies. Codexis, Inc., began operations as an independent company in 2002.

Codexis is a registered trademark of Codexis, Inc.

Contact:
Codexis, Inc.
Tassos Gianakakos
Sr. Vice President, Business Development
T. +1-650-298-5423
F. +1-650-298-5449
tassos.gianakakos@codexis.com