Codexis Names Fernando Valle Research Fellow

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Codexis, Inc. today announced that Fernando Valle, Ph.D., has joined the company as Codexis' first Research Fellow. Dr. Valle, a distinguished researcher in metabolic and genetic engineering over a nearly 30-year career in industrial biotechnology, will focus on Codexis' advanced biofuels programs. He will report to Lori Giver, Ph.D., Vice President, Synthetic Biology.

Dr. Valle joins Codexis from LS9, where he was Senior Director, Metabolic Engineering. Previously, he held a series of senior research positions with Genencor over 10 years, including Director, Metabolic Pathway Engineering. He holds a Ph.D in molecular biology and biotechnology from the National University of Mexico, and also held research positions at that university's Institute of Biotechnology. He is named on 14 issued U.S. patents and is an author on more than 50 scientific articles in the genetic engineering field.

"Fernando Valle is one of our industry's leading experts in metabolic engineering and in developing technology for real world commercial applications," said David Anton, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research and Development. "While at Genencor, he played a pivotal role in developing the successful metabolic pathway leading to commercial scale production of the chemical intermediate 1,3-propanediol (PDO, used in a wide variety of industrial applications ranging from carpet to airplane deicing fluids). We are delighted to welcome him to Codexis and our research leadership team. Codexis' ability to attract world class talent like Fernando is a clear indication of our preeminent position in cellular engineering."

Codexis, Inc. is a clean technology company. The company develops industrial biocatalysts, including enzymes and microbes, for the energy, pharmaceutical and environmental industries. Codexis serves major worldwide markets where clean technology can make a positive economic and environmental impact. For more information, visit www.codexis.com.

Contact: Lyn Christenson, lyn.christenson@codexis.com, 650-421-8144 or Saskia Sidenfaden, ssidenfaden@mww.com, 212-827-3771.