August 10, 2007/Health Business Week -- Senomyx Inc. has expanded its collaborative research, development, commercialization and license agreement with Ajinomoto Co. Inc. regarding Senomyx's existing novel flavor ingredients. Under the terms of the expanded agreement, the two companies will work together on an exclusive basis on the development and commercialization of these novel flavor ingredients in additional product categories and geographies not previously licensed by Senomyx. Ajinomoto has agreed to pay Senomyx an initial license fee for the expanded rights. In addition, upon commercialization Senomyx will be entitled to ongoing royalty payments based on sales of Ajinomoto products containing a Senomyx flavor ingredient. The royalty obligation also includes predetermined minimum royalty payments payable to Senomyx.

This is the second expansion of Senomyx's March 2006 collaboration with Ajinomoto. In April 2007, the geographic scope of the original agreement was broadened to include the United States and Canada. Under the newly expanded agreement, Senomyx will collaborate with Ajinomoto on developing commercial applications using Senomyx's existing novel flavor ingredients in a wide variety of product categories that were not previously licensed within a respective territory including soups, sauces, instant noodles, snack foods, frozen foods and processed meats. The new territories for these product categories include Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Oceania. Senomyx's other collaborator on the flavor program associated with these existing flavor ingredients will maintain all of its existing rights throughout the world.

"Ajinomoto is a leading global manufacturer of food and culinary products and a valued Senomyx partner," said Kent Snyder, president and chief executive officer of Senomyx. "The further expansion of our collaboration is an endorsement of Senomyx's technology and our mutually beneficial relationship. We welcome the prospect of working with Ajinomoto to increase the potential usage of our novel flavor ingredients. We are also excited about the opportunity to combine these flavor ingredients with Ajinomoto's highly regarded ingredient offerings to create unique new flavors for consumers."

From the August 13, 2007, Prepared Foods e-Flash