Global cellulase patents granted to Direvo

Germany-based biotechnology company Direvo Industrial has been granted US and European patents covering novel cellulase enzymes.

These enzymes, according to Direvo, cleave plant-based cellulose into small sugars and can be used in numerous applications including production of biofuels, pulp and paper and synthesis of platform chemicals from renewable sources.

The granted patents for ‘polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase II activity (CBH II)’ describe improved cellulase enzymes having CBH II and methods to produce these enzymes. The CBH II enzymes have higher specific activity and show increased performance compared to available cellulase enzymes.

‘These granted patents will strengthen our intellectual property portfolio protecting our technologies, providing additional licensing opportunities and enhancing our competitive market position,’ says Divero CEO Jorg Riesmeier.