| SemBioSys Genetics
Inc. - The Story of Molecular Farming |
Calgary, Alberta
SemBioSys Genetics Inc. is a Canadian company situated in Calgary, Alberta, and dedicated
to the manufacture and sale of high-value recombinant protein products derived from plants
using its unique and proprietary oleosin technology.
SemBioSys is a privately-held, technology-driven company. Our objective is to secure a
leading
position worldwide in the manufacture of plant-based recombinant protein products
(molecular farming) by developing and protecting creative technologies relating to plant
gene expression, protein partitioning and post-harvest processing of seeds.
SemBioSys was founded in 1994 by Dr. Maurice Moloney in collaboration with University
Technologies International (UTI), the technology transfer company wholly owned by The
University of Calgary. The company is based on technology developed in Dr. Moloney’s
laboratory at the university for the production of high-value proteins in seeds of oilseed
crop plants such as canola, flax and sunflower.
SemBioSys operates through research facilities at the University of Calgary, Department of
Biological Sciences. Currently, SemBioSys comprises 18 researchers led by Dr. Moloney. The
research effort is divided into several key areas including Core Technologies,
BioPeptides, Enzyme Production and Seed Meal Enhancement.
Oleosins, unique seed proteins, are the key to the technology. Oleosins are structural
components of the oil bodies in seeds, and upon extraction, associate with the oil phase
of the seed exclusively. Any protein attached to oleosins will partition accordingly. This
means that oleosins can be used to simplify the extraction and purification of the high
value proteins being manufactured from the rest of the seed’s proteins. The result is
a highly cost effective way to produce protein products. The products could include human
therapeutic and pharmaceutical proteins, vaccines, enzymes for industrial and food use,
immobilized enzymes, and proteins for the nutritional improvement of meal used for animal
feed
In 1994, SemBioSys developed a key strategic alliance with DowElanco Canada. As part of
this
partnership, DowElanco has funded research and established an industrial research chair at
The
University of Calgary. DowElanco has made a total investment of more than $4 million to
date and an additional $17 million is contemplated. DowElanco and SemBioSys will be
working together to develop the technology and commercialize the production process. In
addition, the two companies will be working to identify products and customers.
SemBioSys has initiated the development of a pilot scale facility to increase the scale of
its process and prepare for commercial manufacture of its first product before 2000.
SemBioSys also has several major research agreements with other industrial partners and it
is
developing product manufacturing capabilities for them. SemBioSys is seeking additional
partnerships of this nature.
The Board of Directors for SemBiosys include outstanding individuals with expertise in
diverse areas of business directly and indirectly related to agriculture. They are:
- Richard Elenko (SemBioSys Chairman) President, Petrorep Resources Ltd.;
- Dr. Maurice Moloney (SemBioSys President) Department of Biological Sciences, The
University of Calgary;
- Dr. Theo de Bock, Managing Director, John Innis Centre Innovations;
- John Oliver, Representing DowElanco Canada, Former President & CEO DowElanco
Canada;
- Dr. Murray McLaughlin; President, Ontario Agri-Food Technologies.
SemBioSys Genetics Inc.
Suite 204, 609 14th St. NW
Calgary, Alberta,T2N 2A1
Phone: (403) 283-2503
Fax: (403) 270-2384
N1374 |
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