Codexis accuses EnzymeWorks of theft
Marc S. Reisch · C&EN Global Enterprise · 2016
Enzyme developer Codexis has filed suit against China-based competitor EnzymeWorks and its founder Junhua (Alex) Tao for stealing trade secrets and infringing on Codexis patents. Tao denies the allegation and Codexis’s accusation that EnzymeWorks is poaching customers by selling copycat products at low prices. In its complaint, filed on Feb. 19 in a California federal court, Redwood City, Calif.-based Codexis is asking the court to stop Tao’s alleged infringement and for unspecified monetary damages to be determined at a trial. Codexis and EnzymeWorks both sell enzymes as biocatalysts for pharmaceutical and fine chemicals synthesis. The use of enzymes is growing because they tend to be more environmentally friendly than traditional catalysts. They also can enable enantioselective transformations. “Codexis undertakes litigation rarely and reluctantly,” says CEO John Nicols. “But this form of blatant disrespect for intellectual property harms not only our business and ultimately our shareholders but also our customers.” Reached