UPM and Montisera Ltd, a Finnish development company focused on developing and commercialising bioactive compounds, have announced today the transfer of patents and IPRs related to a specific extraction method for knotwood.The patent strengthens Montisera's existing portfolio related to the use of wood hemicellulose for the prevention and treatment of lower urinary tract diseases."With this manufacturing patent we aim to build a strong patent family combining product, usage and manufacturing IPRs. This secures and supports Montisera's strategy in developing health-promoting molecules from biomass", says Heikki Vuorikoski, CEO of Montisera."We have selected Montisera as our partner as it already has patents related to the bioactive compounds originating from Finnish forest. We are actively seeking innovative partners to commercialise patents and innovations that lie outside our key businesses and would otherwise be neglected", explains Esa Laurinsilta, the Director of Strategic Partnership of UPM.The invention behind the patent enables knotwood to be fractionated so that single components can be separated from a multi-component mixture. The process provides purified knotwood extract of which over 90% contains lignans, flavonoids and stilbenes. Lingnans are globally studied and their biological activities range from antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory to antiviral properties. Lignans have long been used in both traditional and conventional medicine.
The invention behind the patent enables knotwood to be fractionated so that single components can be separated from a multi-component mixture. The process provides purified knotwood extract of which over 90% contains lignans, flavonoids and stilbenes.
