Armozyme Platform Technology

The stabilization of enzymes is of great interest in a number of applications where shelf life and stability during operation are required.  Due to short catalytic lifetimes, enzymes must be protected from environmental changes in order to maintain functionality and preserve utility.

Armozyme is commercializing a combination of patented technologies that allow enzymes to be extremely stable, stay active for months (instead of hours) and perform in harsh environments without unfolding and denaturation. Our platform technology is an ideal solution for several applications such as biosensors, bioconversion, bioremediation and biofuel cell applications, where enzyme life and activity level are crucial.

One of these technologies, Armored Enzyme Technology, addresses enzymes’ instability by protecting an enzyme’s shape.  An Armored Enzyme is an individual enzyme that has a network of silica polymers attached to its surface.  As illustrated in figure below, the “armor” on the enzyme acts as a shield to protect the enzyme from its environment that would otherwise ruin the enzyme.  The substrate is very small relative to the mesh size of armoring, allowing access of the substrate to the enzyme active site.  The coating also allows the enzyme enough interaction with the environment to be effective.

Illustration of the Armored Enzyme Protection

Our primary focus is the development of superior enzymes used in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems for people with diabetes. With Armored Enzymes, CGMs will become more accurate, providing a pathway to become the standard in bloodless, painless, and reliable diabetic care.

 

U.S. and foreign patents were issued or are pending. The inventions were made with United States Government support and awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Government has certain rights in the inventions. Our licensing partner, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated by Battelle.