BP to acquire Verenium’s cellulosic biofuels business

BP and Verenium Corporation today announced an agreement for BP Biofuels North America to acquire Verenium’s cellulosic biofuels business, including the Company’s facilities in Jennings, LA and San Diego, CA for $98.3 million. Verenium will retain its commercial enzyme business, including its biofuels enzymes products and have the right to develop its own lignocellulosic enzyme program. Verenium will also retain select R&D capabilities, as well as rights to access select biofuels technology developed by BP using the technology it is acquiring from Verenium through this agreement.

The major terms of this agreement include: BP will acquire the following:

• Jennings, LA facilities, including the pilot plant and the demonstration-scale facility as well as the San Diego, CA R&D facilities;
  
• Cellulosic biofuels technology and related IP; and
  
• Cellulosic enzyme technology and related IP.

In addition, BP would retain scientists and technologists needed to continue the biofuels development program.

Verenium will retain / receive the following:

• The core commercial enzyme business, including the personnel and supporting technology required to develop the business, including for applications in the biofuels segment;
  
• $98.3 million payment from BP;
  
• $10.8 million in cash (currently restricted) to be released upon assignment of its lease for the San Diego facility to BP;
  
• The ability to access select biofuels products developed by BP using the technology it is acquiring from Verenium; and
  
• The ability to transition out of the San Diego, CA facility over the next two years.

BP will become the sole investor in Vercipia Biofuels, a 50-50 joint venture formed by BP and Verenium in February 2009, and will independently manage all of Vercipia’s activities going forward. Similarly, Galaxy Biofuels, a 50-50 joint development company owned by BP and Verenium, will be owned 100% by BP. This transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2010.

Source : Press Release