Butamax™ Files Biobutanol Patent Infringement Lawsuit to Stop Gevo's use of Butamax KARI Enzyme Technology

WILMINGTON, Del., March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Butamax™ Advanced Biofuels, LLC, the biobutanol technology leader, announced today that the Company filed a new lawsuit against Gevo, Inc. for infringing the recently awarded Butamax™ patent 8,129,162.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120209/MM50763LOGO)

The patent covers recombinant KARI enzymes which perform a key step in producing biobutanol. Butamax invented this technology to further improve performance of the Company's proprietary biobutanol production technology. This important advancement offers biofuel producers a highly efficient production pathway for low cost manufacture of biobutanol. 

The enzymes covered by this patent are known in the scientific world as KARI enzymes and include the so called "NKR" enzymes recently referred to by Gevo in its investor communications. In addition to being covered by Butamax™ foundational patents ('188 and '889), these enzymes are claimed more specifically in the '162 patent, providing layers of protection for Butamax's isobutanol producing technology.

"Butamax teams began their research years before Gevo decided to change direction from methanol to biobutanol, and this latest patent further demonstrates Butamax's pioneering work in the field of low cost biobutanol production," stated Paul Beckwith, Butamax CEO. "Since Butamax's granted patents significantly pre-date Gevo's patents, it is clear Butamax was first to invent the technology and will therefore ultimately prevail in stopping Gevo's ongoing infringement." 

The Butamax™ intellectual property portfolio encompasses novel technology across the entire value chain. Butamax™ inventions include recombinant microorganisms that convert various feedstocks to biobutanol, process engineering for recovering biobutanol produced during fermentation, engineering design for optimized energy integrations, and various renewable fuel and chemical compositions. The depth and breadth of the portfolio reflects the synergy between Butamax's investors, BP and DuPont, as technology and commercial leaders in both industrial biochemicals and biofuels. 

In 2011, Butamax filed suit against Gevo for infringement of Butamax patents 7,851,188 and 7,993,889. Trial is set in that case for April, 2013. Gevo's subsequent counterclaims are unfounded and Butamax has filed a motion to dismiss those claims from the case.

About Butamax
Butamax™ Advanced Biofuels, LLC was formed to develop and commercialize biobutanol as a next generation renewable biofuel for the transport market. The company benefits from the synergy of DuPont's proven industrial biotechnology experience and BP's global fuels market knowledge. Butamax's proprietary technology offers a cost-advantaged manufacturing process for isobutanol with value from field to pump. For more information, visit www.butamax.com.

03/12/12

Butamax™ is a trademark of Butamax™ Advanced Biofuels, LLC.

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SOURCE Butamax Advanced Biofuels, LLC