Menlo Park, CA — Aurora Algae, Inc. announced this week that it had secured its first patent from the US Patent Office for a new method for extracting lipids from algae.
The patent, number 7,868,195, Systems and Methods for Extracting Lipids from and Dehydrating Wet Algal Biomass, marks a major milestone for the four-year-old Alameda-based company, which produces high-performance, algae-based products with applications in pharmaceuticals, food, fish meal and renewable fuels.
The proprietary technology covered by the new patent represents a novel, more efficient amphyphilic extraction method – that is, extracting valuable oils from algae for use in commercial products.
Patent ‘195 is the first of dozens that the company has pending as part of its burgeoning IP portfolio, which covers a diverse range of both science and engineering innovations. Brian Bathurst, a patent attorney with Menlo Park-based law firm Carr & Ferrell, LLP, has represented Aurora since 2008. Bathurst said that this announcement marks a significant early step for the young biotechnology company.
“It’s an exciting milestone for Aurora Algae, Inc., and further evidences the tremendous innovation underlying the company’s extensive patent portfolio,” Bathurst said. “We are thrilled to be representing Aurora as it develops cutting-edge, sustainable technologies, and secures its leadership position as the first photosynthetic algae-based platform for pharmaceutical, food, fuel and aquaculture products.”
Formerly “Aurora Biofuels”, Aurora Algae, Inc. changed its name last summer when the company moved into full-scale commercialization faze and expanded its platform of algae-based products to include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA Omega-3 fatty acids), high-density proteins, fish meal and renewable fuels. The company has recently expanded its operations with the opening of a new regional headquarters and commercial-scale facility in Northwest Australia.