Market assessment: olefin metathesis catalysis

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

We have developed a family of proprietary catalysts that can be used for a process known as olefin metathesis. US, EU, and PCT provisional composition of matter patents on this family of catalysts have been filed. This process (olefin metathesis) is one of the most useful chemical transformations in chemical synthesis with a range of applications in industries including polymer, pharmaceutical, biofuel, perfumes and fine chemical syntheses. This market is currently dominated by Materia, a successful US company that manufactures, sells and distributes a class of olefin metathesis catalysts. We believe our platform catalyst technology can disrupt the market providing a competitive alternative. In our recently awarded NSERC I2I Phase 1 (I2IPJ 469156-14), we are currently resolving the last remaining technical issues: 1) Catalyst scale-up synthesis; 2) Screen catalyst functional group tolerance; 3) Identify potential technical advantages, such as superior activity, bifunctionality and latent capabilities. We have identified potential advantages in the applicability and utility of this platform catalyst technology across a large number of potential markets. So while our commercialization plan remains unchanged, it has become apparent that we need to assess the market. As a result, this Market Assessment Proposal is integral and will allow us to assess which market sector to target as customers and within each market sector, assess who may be the early adopter customers. We plan to do this through this primary market research using a third-party consultant, which will help validate our market assumptions. We hope this will position us to secure investment and/or a joint development with established companies, needed to successfully qualify for applying to the NSERC I2I Phase 2.