Codexis, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDXS) Files An 8-K

Codexis, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDXS), a leading protein engineering company, announced the completion of the second and final phase in the transfer of its proprietary CodeEvolver® protein engineering platform technology to Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, under a non-exclusive licensing agreement. Codexis will receive an $8 million payment from Merck for completion of this milestone to be paid in the fourth quarter of 2016.

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“We have now successfully transferred our CodeEvolver® technology under licensing agreements with two major pharmaceutical companies, and completed both ahead of schedule,” said Codexis President and CEO John Nicols. “This technology licensing agreement builds upon our long-standing relationship with Merck. The successful completion of these two technology transfer agreements underscores the promise of our licensing strategy in addition to providing services and supplying products under our traditional business model.”

In August 2015, Codexis announced the signing of a technology transfer and licensing agreement with Merck. In October, 2015 Codexis received a $5 million payment for the first technology transfer milestone. Following the completion of the technology transfer, Codexis is now eligible to receive payments of up to $15 million for each commercial active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) that is manufactured by Merck using one or more novel enzymes developed by Merck using the CodeEvolver® technology.

“Our long-term collaboration with scientists at Codexis has established the potential of the CodeEvolver® technology platform in improving manufacturing efficiency,” said Rich Tillyer, Senior Vice President, Global Chemistry of Merck. “The completion of this technology transfer now provides Merck with the internal capabilities to advance and expand the use of custom enzymes in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.”

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