June 24/San Diego/Business Wire -- Senomyx Inc. and PepsiCo have signed a letter agreement and entered into an exclusive 60-day negotiation period regarding the completion of a definitive agreement for a new collaboration related to Senomyx's sweet taste technology. The letter agreement includes key commercial and financial terms for a potential multi-year collaborative research program focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of new artificial sweet enhancers, natural sweet enhancers, and natural high-potency sweeteners for the non-alcoholic beverage category. Under the letter agreement, Senomyx will receive a payment of $7.5 million from PepsiCo. The payment, which is non-refundable except under limited circumstances, will be paid immediately and later applied to an upfront license fee if Senomyx and PepsiCo enter into a final definitive agreement.

"Senomyx shares PepsiCo's commitment to providing consumers with healthier, great-tasting products," stated Kent Snyder, chief executive officer of Senomyx. "We are looking forward to finalizing our agreement and using our unique technology to help PepsiCo expand its product portfolio. We believe that our potential new collaboration would include a commercialization timeframe and other terms that are beneficial for both companies."

From the June 25, 2010, Prepared Foods' Daily News
For more of the latest news from the food and beverage industry, visit Prepared Foods' Daily News