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Viral Genetics launches subsidiary to market metabolic disruption technology to biofuels market; enhanced algal lipids yields

Viral Genetics, Inc., a California-based biotechnology company researching new treatments and methods of detection for diseases including cancer, HIV/AIDS and others, has launched a subsidiary called VG Energy, Inc.

Majority-owned by Viral Genetics and its current shareholders, VG Energy will explore biofuel and agricultural applications for one of the technologies in its licensed portfolio: Metabolic Disruption technology (MDT). VG researchers say that the MDT approach increases the yields of oils stored and/or secreted by algal cells by 300%. The technology also has the ability to increase oil storage in seeds for increased production of edible oils.

We can manipulate plant cells so that they store oil and eventually release those reserves instead of burning the fat for fuel when glucose stores are low. The end result is more oil is available for processing into a biofuel. The new brand will help open doors with energy companies. We also believe it will help us attract investors interested in cost-effective, green energy solutions.

—Viral Genetics’ CEO Haig Keledjian

VG’s biofuel and agricultural technology is a result of research in the medical field, where the same fundamental theory of metabolic disruption and similar compounds are being studied as methods to kill certain drug-resistant cancer cells and as potential treatments for other diseases. The human- and algal-cell relationship is based on the fact that all cells rely on fats and sugars to feed themselves and sustain their lives. Cells can convert fats to sugars and vice versa, or “burn” sugar for fuel. The VG compound interferes with this process.

In the medical research of this approach, for example, Metabolic Disruption Technology compounds are being used to starve cancer cells and shrink tumors. In the own bio-fuel program, the compounds manipulated the metabolic functions of algae cells causing them to increase the storage of fats—rather than converting them to sugar for fuel—and therefore increasing the secretion (yield) of refinable oil.

The Texas Emerging Technology Fund recently awarded $750,000 to VG lead scientist, Dr. M. Karen Newell-Rogers, to further develop Metabolic Disruption Technology as it relates to biofuels.

Some of the yield-enhancement studies were undertaken at the Texas Life Sciences Collaboration Center, with current studies being funded by the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, a $200 million initiative created by the Texas Legislature in 2005.

Under an Exclusive License Agreement with the University of Colorado and with the University of Vermont, Viral Genetics holds the exclusive worldwide rights to the Metabolic Disruption Technology developed by Dr. Newell-Rogers and her team. VG Energy was assigned rights to this technology in fields of use limited to non-human applications.

Comments

Scott

So, does this mean increased yield - what is the SFW?

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