Mitsubishi Rayon, Arzeda to collaborate on new chemical processes

Synthetic biology company Arzeda and Mitsubishi Rayon, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp., today announced an industrial collaboration to develop an improved process for producing a chemical building block with multiple applications.

This collaboration will leverage each company's unique technologies, with work occurring at Arzeda's laboratories in Seattle, as well as at laboratories of Mitsubishi Rayon in Japan. 

"Through our own experience and expertise, as well as with innovative technology like Arzeda's, Mitsubishi Rayon can meet the growing global demand for a range of products in a sustainable manner," said Takayuki Iseki, general manager of the R&D administration department at Mitsubishi Rayon. "We look forward to the collaboration."

Arzeda will utilize Archytas, its proprietary industrial protein design software, while Mitsubishi Rayon will apply its expertise in process development and industrial scale-up.

"Through synthetic biology, Arzeda is able to help our customers unlock new opportunities for innovative, high-performing and sustainable products," said Alexandre Zanghellini, Arzeda CEO. "Mitsubishi Rayon has long been known as a leader in chemistry, and it is a great honor to be working with their team."