Sweden-headed resource management and environmental company Ragn-Sells Group has disclosed that it has sold its patent to produce melanin to compatriot biotech company Cyclezyme AB. The transaction includes the intellectual property (IP) associated with the patented biotech process for producing melanin, and transfers control over further development and commercialisation to Cyclezyme.
Melanin is a biological pigment found naturally in plants and animals. In humans, its primary function is to protect the skin against solar radiation.
Beyond skincare and sun protection, melanin is used in an increasing number of industrial applications, including water purification and functional biomaterials.
We are pleased to place this promising technology into the hands of a company with the capabilities and ambition to unlock its full industrial potential. Cyclezyme has in recent years demonstrated a strong capability to develop advanced biotechnologies and translate research into commercial opportunities, said Anders Kihl, Chief Strategy Officer and R&D Director at Ragn-Sells.
Ragn-Sells has invested many years in innovation to develop technologies that can be scaled up to commercially viable circular solutions.
This is why the group has ownership stakes in several research- and development-focused companies. The primary goal is to return more raw materials to the resource cycle, safely and profitably, while removing potentially harmful substances.
Through this relationship with Cyclezyme, we aim to contribute to the development of biotech solutions. The potential in biotech is extraordinary and creates new opportunities to advance effective recycling solutions for waste streams that today are not possible or profitable to recycle, said Anders Kihl.
Enzymatic recycling
Cyclezyme develops enzymes and biotech processes for enzymatic recycling of plastics. The company focuses, among other things, on breaking down hard-to-recycle plastic materials, such as polyester and nylon, to create new raw materials.
The melanin patent is a separate technology area that broadens Cyclezyme’s platform within industrial biotech and biologically synthesised materials.
The patented process has been assessed by Cyclezyme in a pre-study where Ragn-Sells tested various waste streams as input material.
After our assessment, we see clear potential in the patented process for biological synthesis of melanin. Through the acquisition, Cyclezyme gains the opportunity to advance the technology, technologically and commercially, while expanding our platform into a new area within bio-based materials. We are also delighted to have Ragn-Sells as a new partner. Their industrial experience, knowledge of waste streams and strong position in circular solutions is very valuable to Cyclezyme’s continued development, said Peter Falck, CEO of Cyclezyme.
The purchase will be paid in Cyclezyme shares through a directed share issue. This means Ragn-Sells’ ownership stake will equal approximately 7.9 percent of the company, which is listed on Spotlight Stock Market.
