AMRS -- Amyris CEO John G. Melo Interviewed by Boonsri Dickinson (Part 1 of 2)

On the first day of Amyris' listing on John G. Melo, CEO gives BioBusiness.TV an interview, hosted by SmartPlanet GreenTech Reporter Boonsri Dickinson. Amyris reprograms yeast to make high value carbons that can meet the exact specifications of customers. These carbons have applications in consumer goods and energy markets with significant structural cost advantages, performance benefits, and the coveted green profile. Amyris has found its feedstock in Brazilian sugar cane, the lowest cost biomass in the world, and created partnerships with the leading suppliers in the sector.

Started with and grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Amyris sought to produce aremesinin in high volumes and at low cost, putting "nature on steroids." While Amyris no longer works toward medical objectives, it has granted a royalty-free license to Sanofi Aventis for malaria in the developing world. Amyris preserves its intellectual property, which is growing by the day as the portfolio is expanding around the chemistry and products for end markets.

Amyris' is not looking to compete in commodity markets. Their primary focus is their Farnese building block which can make tens of thousands of molecules on spec, as a Dupont or BSF would, only from a renewable energy source, at the similar prices. John Melo explains how he gives a framework and creative space to talented employees to build the company.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Amyris
• AMRS
• Farnese
• John Melo
• Sugar
• Brazil
• Green
• Malaria