BG Bunge Global SA

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nidus Partners LP today announced Denmark-based Novozymes has joined Nidus as a corporate partner.  Novozymes will collaborate with Nidus and its other partners Bunge Limited (NYSE:BG) and Monsanto Company (NYSE:MON) to select and develop early-stage energy technologies.

"The investment and participation of Novozymes, a recognized world leader in bioinnovation, is another major milestone for Nidus," stated Vicki Gonzalez, Nidus managing partner. "This deal confirms our unique approach leveraging partners' market insight to efficiently select and de-risk early-stage energy technologies."

Launched in September 2010, Nidus takes a novel approach to commercialization using its partners to identify market opportunities and experienced entrepreneurs to find and develop technologies that address these market needs. Nidus has reviewed hundreds of technologies resulting in three start-ups.

"Novozymes sees Nidus as a unique collaboration to identify and build the business case for novel energy technologies," said Steen Skjold-Jorgensen, Novozymes Vice President, Research and Development.  "Nidus' experienced entrepreneurial partners provide a professional approach to maturing early-stage energy technologies.  This partnership is a natural enhancement to our own exploratory activities. "

Partners have a right of first offer for the innovations developed through Nidus. A limited number of additional partners with the appropriate market and technical expertise will be invited to the partnership.  

Technologies chosen by Nidus must meet a market need, have potential for a strong intellectual property position and offer a principal investigator willing to collaborate to commercialize the technology.

Examples of Nidus companies include:

• Electrochaea: a renewable natural gas technology that converts waste carbon dioxide from existing manufacturing and stranded electric power into methane, the main component for natural gas.  
• Xtend Energy: manufacturer of ultra-high-performance Lithium-ion battery cathode materials to help address the issues of cost and performance for electric vehicle batteries.

About Nidus Partners, L.P.

Nidus Partners LP is a unique collaboration between proven entrepreneurs and strategic corporations who are commercializing renewable, sustainable and transformative early-stage energy technologies. For more information, please visit http://www.niduspartners.com or follow on www.twitter.com/NidusPartners

 About Novozymes

Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation.  The company researches, develops and manufactures industrial enzymes, microorganisms and biopharmaceutical ingredients. With over 700 products used in 130 countries, Novozymes' bioinnovations increase industrial performance and safeguard the world's resources by offering superior and sustainable solutions for tomorrow's ever-changing marketplace. See www.novozymes.com.

SOURCE Nidus Partners LP