Codexis Appoints Molecular Diagnostics Industry Veteran Shawn Clairmont to Lead High-Performance Enzymes Commercialization

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Feb. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Codexis, Inc. (NASDAQ:CDXS), a leading protein engineering company, announces the appointment of Shawn Clairmont to the newly created position of Senior Director, Molecular Diagnostics. Codexis is expanding into the molecular diagnostics industry by developing and commercializing high-performance enzymes for use in next generation sequencing (NGS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR/qPCR) applications. Clairmont will be responsible for all commercial activities related to the molecular diagnostics enzyme product line, including product launches and market and pricing strategies. She reports to Michael Aldridge, Codexis’ Senior VP Corporate & Strategic Development.

“We welcome Shawn to Codexis as we prepare to commercially launch our first high-performance enzymes for the molecular diagnostics industry,” said Aldridge. “Shawn brings us significant global experience in product launches and commercial account management as well as established relationships with key molecular diagnostic firms and industry opinion leaders. We look forward to calling upon her expertise in developing successful strategies as we bring new enzymes into this established market.”

“This is an exciting time in molecular diagnostics as new technologies, such as liquid biopsy, create the need for high-performance enzymes,” said Clairmont.  “Codexis is uniquely positioned to use its CodeEvolver^® protein engineering platform to develop enzymes aimed at improving the sensitivity and precision of these tests in identifying biomarkers of interest. I’m delighted to join the Codexis team.”

Clairmont has 13 years of molecular diagnostics industry experience. Most recently she served as Chief Operating Officer of BRIDGenomics, a molecular diagnostics and medical device marketing consultancy providing business development and strategic marketing expertise. She previously served for eight years at the molecular diagnostics company QIAGEN in a variety of positions with increasing responsibility, most recently as Director of Sales, America, on the Global Advanced Molecular Pathology Team. Prior to QIAGEN, Clairmont was a technical marketing representative and account manager at bioArray Solutions LTD. She holds an MBA from the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, Minn. and a BA in biology from Saint Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.

About Codexis, Inc.

Codexis, Inc. is a leading protein engineering company that applies its technology to the development of biocatalysts for commercial manufacture of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, as well as the development of enzymes as biotherapeutics and for molecular diagnostics. Codexis’ proven technology enables implementation of biocatalytic solutions to meet customer needs for rapid, cost-effective and sustainable manufacturing. For more information, see www.codexis.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

To the extent that statements contained in this press release are not descriptions of historical facts regarding Codexis, they are forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond Codexis’ control and that could materially affect actual results. Factors that could materially affect actual results include, among others: Codexis’ dependence on its licensees and collaborators; Codexis’ dependence on a limited number of products and customers in its biocatalysis business; potential adverse effects to Codexis’ business if its customers’ pharmaceutical or food products are not received well in the markets; risks, uncertainties and costs associated with the successful development of biotherapeutic candidates, including obtaining development partners for its biotherapeutic programs and progressing such programs to clinical trials and regulatory approvals; Codexis’ ability to develop and commercialize new products for the biocatalysis markets; Codexis’ dependence on a limited number of contract manufacturers for large-scale production of its enzymes; Codexis’ ability to deploy its technology platform in new market spaces, including the fine chemicals, therapeutics and in vitro molecular diagnostics markets; Codexis’ ability to comply with the terms of its credit facility and its associated debt service obligations; Codexis’ need for additional capital in the future in order to expand its business or to adjust for market conditions or strategic considerations, which may involve Codexis entering into equity offerings, debt financings, credit facilities and/or strategic collaborations; Codexis’ dependence on key personnel; Codexis’ ability to establish and maintain adequate protection for intellectual property, trade secrets and other proprietary rights covering its technologies; and any claims by third parties that Codexis is infringing their intellectual property rights or other proprietary rights. Additional information about factors that could materially affect actual results can be found in Codexis’ Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 9, 2017 and Form 10-Q filed November 9, 2017, including under the caption “Risk Factors” and in Codexis’ other current and periodic reports filed with the SEC. Codexis expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Contacts: 

Investors    
LHA Investor Relations 
Jody Cain, 310-691-7100
jcain@lhai.com  

Media
SCORR Marketing
Lea Studer, 402-366-1752
lea@scorrmarketing.com

Released February 15, 2018