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Myriant Technologies LLC Announces Appointment of Science Advisory Board Members

Posted on: Wednesday, 21 October 2009, 11:15 CDT

QUINCY, Mass., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Myriant Technologies LLC (Myriant), a privately-held, biotech developer and manufacturer of renewable biochemicals, announced the formation of its Science Advisory Board and the appointment of distinguished Board members. Board members individually and collectively will provide broad insight into all aspects of the technology and business of converting renewable biomass feedstocks into valuable chemicals.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091021/NE96331LOGO )

Collectively, the Board members have outstanding credentials as scientists in the biotechnology fields of specific interest to Myriant, including: molecular biology, genetic and metabolic pathway engineering, micro-organism development and related fermentation process development.

Myriant's Science Advisory Board members include:

• Dr. Stephen J. Benkovic, Evan Pugh Professor and Eberly Chair in Chemistry at Penn State University, and member of the National Academy of Sciences and its Institute of Medicine;
• Dr. Joseph Glas, Executive Vice President and Advisory Board Chairman, Myriant;
• Dr. Lonnie Ingram, Distinguished Professor, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, and Director, Florida Center for Renewable Chemicals and Fuels, and member of the National Academy of Sciences;
• Dr. Jan Westpheling, Professor, Department of Genetics, University of Georgia; and
• Dr. Huimin Zhao, Professor, Centennial Endowed Chair of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois.
  

"I am honored and we are fortunate to have such an exceptional group of scientists as advisors to Myriant," said Stephen J. Gatto, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Myriant. "Under the leadership of Dr. Joe Glas, I have great confidence that we will reap immediate and long term benefits from their advice and input."

"The pace of change in Myriant's field of industrial biotechnology is ever accelerating," added Dr. Glas. "Our cutting-edge research and development team will benefit enormously from the addition of this unique expertise and its impact on our paths to commercialization."

With a world-renowned team of molecular biologists, engineers and chemists, Myriant utilizes proprietary technology to advance the development of low-cost cellulosic sugars for the sustainable commercialization of high-value specialty chemicals. The company's D(-) lactic acid started production at commercial scale in June 2008 for use in polylactic acid. Myriant will begin commercial production of its second product, biobased succinic acid, in 2010. Myriant is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. Further information is available at www.myriant.com.

Contact: Samuel G. McConnell Sr. VP, Corporate Development 617-657-5207

SOURCE Myriant Technologies LLC

Source: PR Newswire

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