CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & LEON, Spain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
July 26, 2012--Metabolix,
Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), an innovation-driven bioscience company focused
on delivering sustainable solutions for plastics, chemicals and energy,
today announced that it has signed a letter of intent ("LOI") with
Antibióticos S.A. for production of MirelTM biopolymer resin
at its manufacturing facility in Leon, Spain.
Under the terms of the LOI, Metabolix will begin work immediately with
Antibióticos to conduct a series of validation production runs to
demonstrate fermentation and recovery of Mirel biopolymer resin on full
production-scale equipment at Antibióticos. The companies plan to enter
into a definitive contract manufacturing agreement for Mirel biopolymers
based upon the validation production runs as well as completion of
economic and engineering feasibility studies. Metabolix will own the
Mirel biopolymer resin produced during the validation production runs.
"The agreement with Antibióticos represents a significant step forward
in establishing a new supply chain for Mirel biopolymers to serve our
customers worldwide and to continue product development in high
value-added applications," said Richard P. Eno, president and chief
executive officer of Metabolix. "In addition, Antibióticos is located in
the European Union near many of our targeted customers. We are impressed
with the track record, technical expertise and facilities at
Antibioticos, and believe their equipment is well-suited to the
manufacturing process used to produce Mirel biopolymers at commercial
scale."
"This agreement brings together our experience and technical capacity
with Metabolix's technology and processes in a way that supports the
values and vision of both companies," said Daniele Pucci Di Benisichi,
president of Antibióticos. "The first step of our work with Metabolix
will be to validate their technology in our facility. Then, we'll look
ahead to creating a contract manufacturing agreement. Antibióticos
follows a very demanding and selective approach for new projects and
partners, and we're particularly pleased to be working with Metabolix to
deepen our work in sustainable technologies and diversify our business
portfolio."
Metabolix's biopolymers are based on polyhydroxyalkanoates ("PHA") which
occur naturally in micro-organisms and plants. Mirel biopolymers are
biobased, uniquely biodegradable, and suitable for a wide range of
product applications. Metabolix has previously demonstrated production
of Mirel biopolymer resin at industrial scale. Metabolix is currently
supplying Mirel biopolymer resin to customers from existing inventory of
approximately 5 million pounds.
About Antibióticos
Antibióticos, S.A. is a world leader with more than 50 years listed
among the leading producers of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
Its expertise lies in both fermentation and semi-synthesis processes
where the company has become a global reference. Antibióticos, S.A.
offers contract manufacturing services to multinational corporations,
large pharmaceutical organizations and other companies outsourcing
products for toll manufacturing. As a strong key partner of
multinational pharmaceutical companies for the production of APIs, its
products are sold in more than 50 countries worldwide. Antibióticos,
S.A. facilities have a long record of operating in compliance with GMP,
ISO 9001 certification and are FDA Approved. Its fermentation facilities
are capable of using different kinds of microorganisms, including fungi,
yeasts, and bacteria. The company is operating under new ownership since
2009 which has brought a firm commitment and support for expanding its
biotechnology business.
More information about Antibióticos S.A. is available at www.antibioticos-sa.com.
About Metabolix
Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation-driven bioscience company delivering
sustainable solutions to the plastics, chemicals and energy industries.
Metabolix is developing and commercializing MirelTM and MveraTM,
a family of high-performance bioplastics which are biobased and
biodegradable alternatives to many petroleum-based plastics. Metabolix's
biobased chemicals platform utilizes its novel "FAST" recovery process
to enable the production of cost-effective, "drop-in" replacements for
petroleum-based industrial chemicals. Metabolix is also developing a
platform for co-producing plastics, chemicals and energy from crops.
Metabolix has established an industry-leading intellectual property
portfolio that, together with its knowledge of advanced industrial
practice, provides a foundation for industry collaborations.
For more information, please visit www.metabolix.com.
(MBLX-E)
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements which are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements in this release do
not constitute guarantees of future performance. Investors are cautioned
that statements in this press release which are not strictly historical
statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the
intention of the companies to successfully complete the work under the
LOI and sign a contract manufacturing agreement constitute
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those anticipated and are detailed in
Metabolix's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including its 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, which was filed
on March 12, 2012. Metabolix assumes no obligation to update any
forward-looking information contained in this press release or with
respect to the announcements described herein.
