Background In 1980, University of Washington and Genentech, Inc. scientists began collaborative work in the field of polypeptide expression in yeast. Their pioneering research resulted in a widely used technology which is covered by a family of patents entitled Expression of Polypeptides in Yeast. WRF was assigned the technology by the University of Washington and became a co-owner of the patents with Genentech. An agreement signed in 1988 with Genentech appoints WRF the sole and exclusive licensor for these patents. Patents have issued in the U.S., Australia, Japan, Ireland, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Additional rights are pending in Japan.