UPM sells extraction technology patents to Montisera Ltd
(UPM, Helsinki, 7 June 2016 at 10:00 EET) - UPM and Montisera Ltd, a Finnish development company focused on developing and commercialising bioactive compounds, have announced today the transfer of patents and IPRs related to a specific extraction method for knotwood.
The patent strengthens Montisera's existing portfolio related to the use of wood hemicellulose for the prevention and treatment of lower urinary tract diseases.
"With this manufacturing patent we aim to build a strong patent family combining product, usage and manufacturing IPRs. This secures and supports Montisera's strategy in developing health-promoting molecules from biomass", says Heikki Vuorikoski, CEO of Montisera.
"We have selected Montisera as our partner as it already has patents related to the bioactive compounds originating from Finnish forest. We are actively seeking innovative partners to commercialise patents and innovations that lie outside our key businesses and would otherwise be neglected", explains Esa Laurinsilta, the Director of Strategic Partnership of UPM.
The invention behind the patent enables knotwood to be fractionated so that single components can be separated from a multi-component mixture. The process provides purified knotwood extract of which over 90% contains lignans, flavonoids and stilbenes. Lingnans are globally studied and their biological activities range from antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory to antiviral properties. Lignans have long been used in both traditional and conventional medicine.
For further information please contact:
Heikki Vuorikoski, CEO, Montisera Ltd. tel. +358 40 756 2427
Esa Laurinsilta, Director, Strategic partnerships, UPM Technology, tel. +358408210350
UPM, Media Relations
9.00-16.00 EET
tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com
UPM
Through the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Paper Asia, UPM Paper ENA and UPM Plywood. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. We serve our customers worldwide. The group employs around 19,600 people and its annual sales are approximately EUR 10 billion. UPM shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM - The Biofore Company - www.upm.com
Montisera Ltd
Founded in 2012, Montisera is a privately-owned Finnish development company focused on discovering, developing and commercialising bioactive compounds from its development platform to be used in novel products in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Montisera's focus is on the management of its global partner network of universities, science companies, laboratories, contract research organisations (CROs) etc. Montisera currently has three bioactive compounds in its development platform in different stages of the development pipeline, ranging from Parkinson's disease to alcoholism and lower urinary tract diseases.
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