Allylix to go after the terpene dollar by commercializing personal care fragrance compound

Epivone (epi-beta-vetivone), developed by the San Diego-based firm, is a rare and valuable terpene and Allilix estimates that revenue for similar terpene molecules used in fragrance applications is estimated between $20 and $200 million dollars per year.

"Epivone is a highly valuable compound,"​ said Carolyn Fritz, Allylix's CEO, "and because we own the patents claiming the fragrance and its novel production method, we expect to be the only commercial supplier of Epivone."​

Fragrance applications​

Allylix's compound has been evaluated by several perfumers and has been described as having good character and strength at one percent dilution with an odor characterized as woody, vetiver, cassis, rich yet fruity and containing a grapefruit effect.

Epivone has been found to be substantive on a perfumer blotter for around 500 hours, and it is expected that it will be applicable in cologne, hair care and personal care fragrance applications.

Epivone is structurally related to beta-vetivone, one of the key components of vetiver oil, an essential oil with a rich, woody aroma.

It has never been commercially available, according to Allylix, as it cannot be produced synthetically in a cost effective manner.

An industry ‘first’​

Using its proprietary biosynthetic production methods, Allylix claims it is now the first company to offer Epivone in a highly purified form.

Through its work in this area, Allylix has obtained significant intellectual property surrounding Epivone, including the recent issuance of several patents, thus giving the company the confidence that it will be the only commercial supplier.

The biotechnology firm's propriety fermentation technology platform allows it to produce a variety of high value terpenes and other specialty chemicals across different industries at low cost with sustainable supply.

Allylix expects to initiate production of Epivone in commercial quantities in the third quarter 2012.