Nagase ChemteX has developed a new esterase SNSM-87 via DNA technology that offers twice the heat stability of previous compounds. The product will form the core of a market expansion drive in cooperation with pharmaceutical manufacturers, universities and research institutes, and at the same time ChemteX's parent company Nagase & Co., Ltd.'s research center and sales division will be expanding the group's optically active chiral compound business.

Nagase ChemteX was newly established in April of this year through the merger of four of Nagase Group's technology companies: Teikoku Chemical, Nagase Chemicals, Nagase Biochemical Industry and Nagase ChemteX Corp. (previously Nagase Ciba). Nagase Biochemical boasts over fifty years of expertise in enzyme production, commercializing more than 500 types for supply to the domestic market. In addition its business partnership with Genencore International has made Nagase Biochemical a locus of strength for the Nagase Group as a whole.

SNSM-87, which received confirmation of compliance with METI guidelines, is a purified enzyme produced by the expression of heat-stable esterase genes (originally derived from Klebsiella oxytoca) in the industrial host E-coli (JM 105 stock). The particular application of this esterase is in the stereoselective hydrolysis of esters. In recent years the successful commercialization of pharmaceutical-use esterase has been considered a rare event.

SNSM-87's major feature is dramatically improved heat stability, with verifiable activity at close to 80 degrees C, where conventional natural enzymes are inactive at temperatures over the 30 to 40 degrees C range. Commercialization will focus not on sales of SNSM-87 itself, but on cooperative development with pharmaceutical manufacturers, universities and research institutes to make the best use of its superior heat stability. In addition emphasis will be put into chiral compounds in conjunction with Nagase's Research Center and Specialty Chemical Division, which is in charge of the group's enzyme business.

SNSM-87 received confirmation of compliance with METI's 'Recombinant DNA Technology Industrialization Guidelines' in October. This is the second confirmation for Nagase, as one had previously been received by Nagase Biochemical.

(From The Chemical Daily)