DSM and LibraGen to co-develop transaminases for production of chiral amines

Dutch company DSM and LibraGen, a bacterial diversity-based process and discovery specialist based in Toulouse in France, have signed an agreement to co-develop new omega-transaminases for production of chiral amines.

Under the terms of the partnership, LibraGen will use its proprietary enzyme discovery and development technology to identify new enzymes for efficient conversion of a large spectrum of ketons into optically pure R- and S-amines, a compound class highly relevant for fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries.

DSM will produce the enzymes at industrial scale using DSM's fermentation capabilities and proprietary expression platform, PluGbug. LibraGen will sell the enzymes in kit form and both parties will use them for screening activities and the development of biocatalytic processes for third parties.

"This collaboration with LibraGen increases the number of available large-scale biocatalysts and will contribute to increasing competitiveness of the transaminase technology for production of chiral amines," said Oliver May, competence manager biocatalysis at DSM Pharmaceutical Products.

LibraGen expects this alliance to bring the company additional openings to provide its services to fine chemicals, pharmaceutical and cosmetics customers, and to develop and optimise enzymatic synthesis processes for complex molecules.