News

Novozymes acquires microbial research company

22 Sep 2016

Novozymes has acquired microbial research company Organobalance, who own a large collection of microbial strains, and have capabilities in microbial screening and assay technology.

Novozymes has acquired microbial research company Organobalance for an undisclosed amount. Germany-based Organobalance owns a large collection of microbial strains, some of which date back to the 1920s, and has capabilities in microbial screening and assay technology. It specializes in developing natural microbial solutions for customers and partners across a number of industries including food, feed, and animal health.

“The experience of Organobalance’s founding scientists, and the company’s know-how, immediately strengthen Novozymes’ existing capabilities within microbial technologies,” says Sebastian Søderberg, Vice President for New Business Development, Incubation & Acquisitions at Novozymes. “Organobalance will advance our understanding to develop new, sustainable solutions across industries, and provide us with additional commercial opportunities.”

"Organobalance, our employees and customers will benefit greatly from this move," said Christine Lang who co-founded Organobalance and will continue as General Manager. "By becoming part of Novozymes, we will have access to a global R&D network and an extensive infrastructure to bring products to market – a clear advantage for us and our customers. When two well-established companies such as Novozymes and Organobalance team up in biological research to confront challenges in technology and society, it benefits people and the wider bioeconomy of Germany."

Based in Berlin and Flensburg, in Germany, Organobalance has 29 employees and was founded in 2001. Following the acquisition, Organobalance will be integrated into Novozymes’ global organisation but will continue to be based in Germany so as to benefit from the established biotechnology capabilities of the country’s capital region and the company’s strong ties to German academia, innovation environments, and markets.

“Organobalance and Novozymes possess similar ambitions and company cultures,” said Søderberg. “Both companies strongly believe that innovative biological solutions can make a real, positive difference in the world and help tackle many of modern society’s biggest challenges. Together, our solutions fundamentally allow customers to produce more from less, reduce environmental impact, improve health and replace chemicals.”

The acquisition will not impact Novozymes’ financial outlook for 2016.