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BP Buys Verenium's Cellulosic Biofuel Business for $98.3 Million

BP and Verenium Corporation recently announced an agreement for BP Biofuels North America to acquire Verenium's cellulosic biofuels business, including facilities in Jennings, LA and San Diego, CA for $98.3 million. According to the agreement, Verenium will retain its commercial enzyme business, including its biofuels enzymes products and have the right to develop its own lignocellulosic enzyme program. Verenium will also retain select R&D capabilities, as well as rights to access select biofuels technology developed by BP using the technology it is acquiring from Verenium through this agreement.

"We are very pleased that our strategic development partnership with BP has successfully advanced our cellulosic ethanol technology to the cusp of commercialization," said Carlos A. Riva, President and Chief Executive Officer at Verenium. "We believe that BP is the right company to make the investment needed to carry this forward and expedite the commercialization of the technology."

"This agreement should give both companies the flexibility to pursue the growth opportunities in the respective businesses and achieve goals in the near-term. As a result of this transaction, Verenium will have the resources to grow our commercial enzyme business while maintaining strategic access to the emerging cellulosic ethanol market in a manner that better fits our resources," added Riva.

BP will become the sole investor in Vercipia Biofuels, a 50-50 joint venture formed by BP and Verenium in February 2009, and will independently manage all of Vercipia's activities going forward. Similarly, Galaxy Biofuels, a 50-50 joint development company owned by BP and Verenium, will be owned 100% by BP. This transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2010.