Patents Assigned to New Zealand Limited
  • Patent number: 10415043
    Abstract: One or more genes in a biosynthesis pathway for a vitamin or other essential nutrient which is needed for the survival of a microorganism can be used as an effective selective marker to identify cells transformed with an exogenous nucleic acid. The microorganism does not naturally contain or express the one or more gene. This permits genetic manipulations to be performed. It permits lower cost fermentations to be performed. It permits production of the essential nutrient for subsequent commodity use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Koepke, Bakir Al-Sinawi
  • Patent number: 10358661
    Abstract: The invention provides genetically engineered microorganisms with modified hydrogenase activity and methods related thereto. Typically, the microorganisms are C1-fixing microorganisms with one or more disruptive mutations in a hydrogenase enzyme or a hydrogenase accessory enzyme. The microorganisms may have improved tolerance to toxins, such as acetylene, isocyanide, ammonium, or nitric oxide, improved production of products, such as ethanol, 2,3-butanediol, and isopropanol, and/or improved fixation of carbon, such as carbon derived from CO or CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Shilpa Nagaraju, Michael Koepke
  • Patent number: 10358662
    Abstract: The invention provides schemes for the integration of a fermentation process, with an electrolysis process, and a C1-generating industrial process. In particular, the invention provides process for utilizing electrolysis products, for example H2 and/or O2, to improve the process efficiency of at least one of the fermentation process or the C1-generating industrial process. More particularly, the invention provides a process whereby, H2 generated by electrolysis is used to improve the substrate efficiency for a fermentation process, and the O2 generated by the electrolysis process is used to improve the composition of the C1-containing tail gas generated by the C1-generating industrial process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Robert John Conrado, Christophe Daniel Mihalcea, Michael Emerson Martin
  • Patent number: 10316337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a genetically engineered bacterium having an enzyme that converts 3-hydroxyisovaleryl-CoA to 3-hydroxyisovalerate and an enzyme that converts 3-hydroxyisovalerate to isobutylene. Typically, the bacterium is capable of producing isobutylene from a gaseous substrate containing CO, CO2, and/or H2, such as syngas or an industrial waste gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Koepke, Rasmus Overgaard Jensen
  • Patent number: 10252183
    Abstract: Improvements in biological conversion processes and associated apparatuses are disclosed for the generation of useful end products such as ethanol, through metabolic pathways of C1-fixing bacteria that utilize, as a nutrient, a C1-carbon source from a C1-containing substrate such as an industrial waste gas. Particular aspects of the disclosure relate to the downstream recovery of ethanol and/or isopropanol from bleed and permeate streams and more particularly to performing such recovery with improved efficiency that can advantageously reduce capital (e.g., equipment) and/or operating (e.g., utility) costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Schultz, Thomas Ewald Raiser, Rachel Jane Brenc
  • Patent number: 10174303
    Abstract: The invention provides genetically engineered microorganisms and methods for producing chorismate-derived products, such as para-hydroxybenzoic acid, salicylate, 2-aminobenzoate, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, and 4-hydroxycyclohexane carboxylic acid. Typically, the microorganism comprises at least one of (a) an exogenous chorismate pyruvate lyase, (b) an exogenous isochorismate synthase, (c) an exogenous isochorismate pyruvate lyase, and (d) a prephenate synthase comprising a disruptive mutation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: James Bruce Yarnton Haycock Behrendorff, Michael Koepke, Loan Phuong Tran, Wyatt Eric Allen
  • Publication number: 20190000778
    Abstract: This invention is directed in part to novel doses, dosage formulations, and routes of administration of such doses and dose formulations, said dose and dose formulations containing one or more copper chelators, for example, one or more trientine active agents, including trientine analogues, trientine salts, trientine prodrugs, and trientine derivatives, useful in the treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions, including in indications where copper may play a role.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: PhilERA New Zealand Limited
    Inventor: Garth James Smith Cooper
  • Patent number: 10131884
    Abstract: The invention provides a recombinant, acetogenic bacterium that consumes a substrate comprising CH4 and converts at least a portion of the CH4 to a product. In particular, the bacterium of may comprise one or more of exogenous methane monooxygenase (MMO), exogenous nitrite reductase (NIR), and exogenous nitric oxide dismutase (NOD). The invention further provides a method for producing a product comprising providing a substrate comprising CH4 to a culture comprising a recombinant, acetogenic bacterium, whereby the bacterium converts at least a portion of the CH4 to a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Koepke, Peter Dürre
  • Patent number: 10113194
    Abstract: Apparatuses and associated methods are described for the efficient evaluation of C1-containing substrates, and especially for such evaluation conducted locally, or on-site, at a prospective facility for implementation of a biological conversion process for desired end product using a C1 carbon source. The exact composition of a given, industrial C1-containing substrate, as well as the range in composition fluctuations, are generally difficult to reproduce at a remote facility (e.g., a laboratory or a pilot-scale or demonstration-scale process), as required for the accurate prediction/modeling of commercial performance to justify large capital expenditures for commercial scale-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Bjorn Daniel Heijstra, Sean Dennis Simpson, Nicholas Bourdakos, Jason Carl Bromley, Kai-Ming Yap
  • Patent number: 10086297
    Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and method to convey an object through the air in a controlled and repeatable manner. The apparatus may comprise an object attached to at least one resilient member, the resilient member or members constraining object movement in a substantially vertical y-axis direction. The apparatus may also comprise at least one support member coupled to the at least one resilient member, and the support member or members constrain object movement in a substantially horizontal x-axis direction. In use, the resilient member is energized, movement initiated, and object movement then occurs in both an x-axis and y-axis direction, the movement path substantially governed by the resilient member(s) and the support member(s). The apparatus and method may allow the object to experience a variety of movement sensations, one being the feeling of flight or gliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bungy New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Henry Van Asch, David Mitchell, Tim Porter, Geoff Wilson, Kevin Andrew Wright
  • Patent number: 10010807
    Abstract: Improvements in biological conversion processes and associated apparatuses are disclosed for the generation of useful end products such as ethanol, through metabolic pathways of C1-fixing bacteria that utilize, as a nutrient, a C1-carbon source from a C1-containing substrate such as an industrial waste gas. Particular aspects of the disclosure relate to the downstream recovery of ethanol and/or isopropanol from bleed and permeate streams and more particularly to performing such recovery with improved efficiency that can advantageously reduce capital (e.g., equipment) and/or operating (e.g., utility) costs. Particular aspects related to the downstream recovery of ethanol and/or isopropanol using a low pressure separator having an internal divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael Anthony Schultz
  • Patent number: 9994878
    Abstract: Bacteria are genetically engineered to produce 3-hydroxypropionate (3-HP). The bacteria are carboxydotrophic acetogens. The bacteria produce acetyl-coA using the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway for fixing CO/CO2. A malonyl-coA reductase from a bacterium that contains such an enzyme is introduced. Additionally, an acetyl-coA carboxylase may also be introduced The production of 3-HP can be improved by overproduction of acetyl-CoA carboxylase or by overproduction of biotin. This can be effected by improved promoters or higher copy number or enzymes that are catalytically more efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: LanzaTech New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Michael Koepke, Wendy Yiting Chen
  • Patent number: 9993443
    Abstract: This invention is directed in part to novel doses, dosage formulations, and routes of administration of such doses and dose formulations, said dose and dose formulations containing one or more copper chelators, for example, one or more trientine active agents, including trientine analogs, trientine salts, trientine prodrugs, and trientine derivatives, useful in the treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions, including in indications where copper may play a role.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: PhilEra New Zealand Limited
    Inventor: Garth James Smith Cooper
  • Patent number: 9988598
    Abstract: A bioreactor system is provided for continuous fermentation of a gaseous substrate, said system comprising two or more primary bioreactors and one or more secondary bioreactors connected by a central bleed line. Further provided is a process for inoculating multiple bioreactors utilizing a central bleed line, said process comprising passing fermentation broth from a first primary bioreactor to other primary bioreactors and/or secondary bioreactors via a central bleed line. Further provided is a process for maintaining stable fermentation of a gaseous substrate across multiple bioreactors, said process comprising providing fermentation broth from one or more operational primary bioreactors to one or more secondary bioreactors via a central bleed line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Christophe Collet, Jan Yan Ng, David Nathaniel Aston
  • Patent number: 9957531
    Abstract: The invention relates to a genetically engineered bacterium having an enzyme that converts acetyl-CoA to acetoacetyl-CoA, an enzyme that converts acetoacetyl-CoA to 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, and an enzyme that converts 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA to 3-hydroxybutyrate. The bacterium may also have enzymes to produce other downstream products, such as 3-hydroxybutyryaldehyde, and 1,3-butanediol. Typically, the bacterium is capable of producing these products from a gaseous substrate, such as syngas or an industrial waste gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Koepke, Rasmus Overgaard Jensen, James Bruce Yarnton Haycock Behrendorff, Ryan Edward Hill, Darmawi Juminaga, Alexander Paul Mueller
  • Patent number: 9890399
    Abstract: Methods of capturing carbon by microbial fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO. The methods include converting CO to one or more products including alcohols and/or acids and optionally capturing CO2 to improve overall carbon capture. In certain aspects, also disclosed are to processes for producing alcohols, particularly ethanol, from industrial waste streams, particularly steel mill off-gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Sean Dennis Simpson, Christophe Collet, Michael Cockrem, Simon David Oakley, Michael Koepke
  • Patent number: 9890384
    Abstract: Carboxydotrophic acetogenic microorganisms do not produce MEK and/or 2-butanol. They lack the biosynthesis pathways to make these products. In addition, they produce the intermediate (R,R)-2,3-butanediol whereas the production of MEK and 2-butanol requires production of the intermediate (R,S)-2,3-butanediol. Nonetheless, the production of MEK and/or 2-butanol can be accomplished using recombinant microorganisms adapted to express or overexpress key enzymes in the MEK and/or 2-butanol biosynthesis pathways. Such microorganisms, such as the carboxydotrophic acetogen Clostridium autoethanogenum, can ferment substrates comprising CO. The overall scheme involves the production of 2-butanol from (R,S)-2,3-butanediol and the conversion of (R)-acetoin to (S)-2,3-butanediol. These steps are involved in the production of both MEK and 2-butanol. Such fermentation methods offer a means of using carbon monoxide from industrial processes which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and pollute the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Alexander Paul Mueller, Michael Koepke, Shilpa Nagaraju
  • Patent number: 9834795
    Abstract: The invention provides recombinant microorganisms and methods for the production of acetone from gaseous substrates. For example, the recombinant microorganism may be modified to express an exogenous thiolase, an exogenous CoA transferase, and an exogenous decarboxylase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Koepke, Sean Simpson, Fungmin Liew, Wendy Yiting Chen
  • Patent number: 9834792
    Abstract: Multi-stage, biological processes and systems for converting a C1 carbon source to desired end products are described. The processes comprise dividing a gaseous C1-containing substrate, in parallel, among multiple bioreactor stages. Liquid products are successively fed, in series, from a first bioreactor stage to downstream bioreactor stages. Operation can be simplified by avoiding the requirement for microorganism separation and recycle at each stage. In addition, overall vapor-liquid mass transfer for the combined stages is very favorable, leading to high end product productivity with comparably low byproduct metabolite productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: LANZATECH NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon Richard Trevethick, Jason Carl Bromley, Guy William Waters, Michael Koepke, Loan Phuong Tran, Rasmus Jensen Overgaard
  • Patent number: 9827275
    Abstract: Immunostimulatory compositions and methods of use are described to either enhance or diminish the immune stimulation effects of a honey or honey isolate by recognition of the presence of type II arabinogalactan compounds and utilising this knowledge to tailor the concentration of such compounds thereby adjusting the immune stimulation effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Comvita New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Ian Sims, Jonathan McDonald Counsell Stephens, Ralf Christian Schlothauer, Swapna Gannabathula