Mitsubishi Rayon and Arzeda Collaborate on Development of New Processes for Industrial Chemicals Production

SEATTLE, WA and TOKYO, JAPAN--(Marketwired - Feb 9, 2016) - Arzeda, a synthetic biology company, and Mitsubishi Rayon, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation, that manufactures chemicals, plastics, and fibers, today announced an industrial collaboration for the development of an improved process for producing a chemical building block with multiple applications.

This collaboration will leverage each company's unique technologies, with work occurring at Arzeda's laboratories in Seattle, as well as at laboratories of Mitsubishi Rayon in Japan. Arzeda will utilize Archytas™, its proprietary industrial protein design software, while Mitsubishi Rayon will apply its expertise in process development and industrial scale-up.

"Through synthetic biology, Arzeda is able to help our customers unlock new opportunities for innovative, high-performing and sustainable products," said Alexandre Zanghellini, Arzeda CEO. "Mitsubishi Rayon has long been known as a leader in chemistry, and it is a great honor to be working with their team."

"Through our own experience and expertise, as well as with innovative technology like Arzeda's, Mitsubishi Rayon can meet the growing global demand for a range of products in a sustainable manner," said Takayuki Iseki, General Manager, R&D Administration Department. "We look forward to the collaboration."

About Mitsubishi Rayon
As well as being a major supplier of MMA monomer, applying its polymer technology gained from synthetic fiber and synthetic resin, Mitsubishi Rayon group's business, including its hollow fiber membranes, carbon fibers, plastic optical fibers, and other products, helps to improve the aquatic environment, reduce CO2 emissions, and conserve energy.

About Arzeda
Since 2008 Arzeda has been harnessing the power of computational and synthetic biology to create new enzymes and chemical products that can compete on performance, cost and sustainability. In partnership with Fortune 500 companies and industrial leaders, the company has developed a portfolio of enzymes and specialty chemicals for polymers, advanced materials and health and nutrition products. Arzeda's proprietary platform and validation process rapidly create "cell factories" that can be used at an industrial scale to solve problems and create opportunities that otherwise would be impossible. More information is available at www.arzeda.com.