Takasago and Amyris to Begin Commercialization of Novel Fragrance Products

TOKYO and EMERYVILLE, Calif., June 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Takasago (TYO:4914), a global leader in the creation of flavors and fragrances for consumer products, and Amyris (Nasdaq:AMRS), a leading renewable products company, today announced the start of the next phase of their relationship to commercialize farnesene-derived fragrance molecules. Having successfully completed feasibility testing, Takasago agreed to move forward with commercialization, starting with a first purchase for scale-up this quarter.

"The use of Amyris's renewable farnesene supports Takasago's goal of utilizing innovative, cost-effective and sustainably-sourced materials to make products that impact our customers' daily lives. These new products will address customer demand resulting from the regulatory phase out of certain existing fragrance ingredients and will be some of the newest and most valuable fragrance ingredients on Takasago's palette. We intend to introduce these aroma ingredients to the global fragrance market in 2015," said Masayuki Mita, Senior Vice President of the Fragrance and Aroma Chemical Division at Takasago.

"Amyris is delighted at the rapid progress made by Takasago on the commercialization of novel fragrance materials derived from farnesene. Takasago's strong scientific and manufacturing expertise is expanding the range of new fragrances made possible through our innovative technology. We look forward to the commercialization of these products and to the expansion of the portfolio of products enabled by our building block molecule. The new fragrance ingredients should help our partner extend the impact of their products on the diversity of fragrance formulations that perfumers can reach," said Zanna McFerson, Chief Business Officer at Amyris.

Amyris and Takasago began their relationship in late 2012 by initiating feasibility studies to evaluate the opportunities of transforming farnesene into a range of fragrance ingredients.

This relationship is the latest among the strategic collaborations that Amyris has developed with companies in the Flavors and Fragrances industry. It is another example of the versatility of Amyris's industrial bioscience technology platform.

About the Companies

Takasago International Corporation is a world leader in the flavor and fragrance industry. Founded in Japan in 1920, Takasago has developed flavors and fragrances for some of the world's most successful food, beverage, fine fragrance, household and personal care products. Takasago is the only Asia-based global flavor and fragrance company specializing in nature-identical and asymmetric molecules using unique chiral technologies. More information about Takasago is available at www.takasago.com.

Amyris is an integrated renewable products company focused on providing sustainable alternatives to a broad range of petroleum-sourced products. Amyris uses its industrial bioscience technology platform to convert plant sugars into a variety of hydrocarbon molecules -- flexible building blocks that can be used in a wide range of products. Amyris is commercializing these products both as No Compromise® renewable ingredients in cosmetics, flavors and fragrances, polymers, lubricants and consumer products, and renewable diesel and jet fuel. Amyris Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of Amyris, oversees the establishment and expansion of Amyris's production in Brazil. More information about Amyris is available at www.amyris.com.

Amyris Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, and any statements other than statements of historical facts could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding future events (such as customer demand for, and plans for commercialization of, certain fragrance ingredients) that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on management's current expectations and actual results and future events may differ materially due to risks and uncertainties, including those associated with any delays or failures in development, production and commercialization of products, failure to achieve positive cash flows from operations within planned timeframes, Amyris's reliance on third parties to achieve its goals, and other risks detailed in the "Risk Factors" section of Amyris's quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2014. Amyris disclaims any obligation to update information contained in these forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Amyris, the Amyris logo and No Compromise are trademarks or registered trademarks of Amyris, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.