May 20, 2007 -- Senomyx Inc., a leading company focused on using proprietary technologies to discover and develop novel flavor ingredients for the packaged food and beverage industry, announced today that it has expanded its existing collaborative research, development, commercialization and license agreement with Ajinomoto Co. Inc. to include the additional territories of the United States and Canada. Senomyx will work with Ajinomoto on an exclusive basis on the development and commercialization of certain existing novel flavor ingredients for the soup and bouillon, sauce and culinary aids, noodles, snack food, and frozen foods product categories in North America. Ajinomoto has agreed to pay Senomyx an initial license fee to access the North American rights. In addition, upon commercialization, Senomyx will be entitled to a specified milestone payment from Ajinomoto as well as ongoing royalty payments based on sales of Ajinomoto products containing a Senomyx flavor ingredient. In addition, the royalty obligation includes predetermined minimum royalties.

"We are very pleased to broaden our March 2006 collaboration with Ajinomoto to include the U.S. and Canada in addition to the previously licensed Asian markets," said Kent Snyder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Senomyx. "North America is an important strategic market for our flavor ingredients and we are pleased to collaborate with Ajinomoto on developing commercial applications there.

"Ajinomoto is a leading worldwide manufacturer of food and culinary products. It is gratifying that they have chosen to further their partnership with Senomyx," Snyder noted. "Senomyx has product discovery and development collaborations with seven of the world's foremost packaged food and beverage companies: Ajinomoto, Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell Soup, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, Nestl?, and Solae. Our amended agreement with Ajinomoto is another example of a partner that has expanded its collaborations with us. We believe it is a testament to our progressive working relationships and the increasing value of our proprietary technologies when our world-class collaborators strengthen their relationships with Senomyx," Snyder noted.

From the May 23, 2007, Prepared Foods e-Flash