Protéus announced today that it has been granted U.S. Patent No. 6,951,719 for L-Shuffling(TM), a novel gene shuffling technology developed by Proteus to generate and optimize novel proteins for commercial product applications.

L-Shuffling(TM) is a new enabling gene shuffling technology. This recombination-based protein engineering technology dramatically accelerates the development of new or improved products and processes. L-Shuffling(TM)'s growing list of applications include developing therapeutic proteins, industrial biocatalysts and agricultural traits optimization. The new patent broadly covers Proteus in vitro gene shuffling recombination methods in a variety of embodiments, and contains multiple claims covering ligation-mediated in vitro recombination methods.

"Getting the protein you have been dreaming of is what L-Shuffling(TM) provides" said Daniel Dupret, President and CEO of Proteus. "The issuance of this new patent reinforces Proteus leadership in this field of biotechnology."

Proteus has a proven track record in developing new products in a number of industrial sectors, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, fine and specialty chemicals. Access to the company's expertise and proprietary technologies is available through partnership agreements or through more specific service contracts. Partnership agreements provide comprehensive concept-to-completion solutions while the recently launched PSI business unit (Proteus Services for Industry) offers a range of specific services for protein engineering and manufacturing.