Spin out completes move to science park
An Oxford University spin out has completed its move to Milton Park, opening new laboratory facilities and offices.
An Oxford University spin out has completed its move to Milton Park, opening new laboratory facilities and offices. Oxford Biotrans, which says its science is supported by more than 20 years of chemistry research, has completed the move after a £2.5m investment last August.
Dr Will Barton OBE, chairman of Oxford Biotrans, told local paper The Herald Series: “The scale of the investment and capability at the new site, combined with the quality of the people we have been able to attract, is enabling the company to lead the way in pioneering, sustainable industrial biotechnology, developing smart, clean routes to existing and novel high-value chemical compounds.”
Oxford Biotrans produces nootkatone, the flavour and scent found in grapefruit, through enzymatic transformation of valancene. Valancene is a citrus extract found in oranges. There are different uses for nookatone such as natural insect repellent and within the fragrance industry.
The company says it has ‘already identified’ several further high value flavour products. They will use their library of cytochrome P450 enzymes to convert readily available extracts, just like with valancene, into these products. Dr Barton added: “Our novel process routes will impact markets ranging from natural ingredients to pharmaceutical and environmentally-friendly agrochemical and speciality chemicals sectors.
