You may not be famliar with papain, bromelain and ficin, but they are all naturally occurring enzymes extracted from fruit trees and plants and used in a wide range of applications, including beer, cancer treatments and contact lens cleaner.

The newest tenant at the University City Science Center's Port Business Incubator (3624 Market St.) specializes in production and commercialization of those compounds and is hoping its entry to the U.S. market is just as naturally occurring. Belgium-based Enzbyel International announced last week it established its U.S. office through the Science Center's Global Soft Landing program,

According to Science Center spokesperson Jeanne Mell, the Global Soft Landing program, which helps global companies establish a presence in local life sciences and IT markets, has engaged eight companies currently--a number that figures to get larger as the Science Center expandsd its Global Soft Landing space at 3711 Market Street.

Nicolas Chatelain is Enzybel's lone employee at the Science Center and will focus on business development. He says Enzybel is actively seeking a second employee for its Philadelphia operations

"We would like to hire (someone) as a sales representative for the food ingredient and neutraceutical industries as soon as possible," he says. "We are looking for an American candidate that will have at least a Bachelor's degree in Food Science Chemistry or related discipline."

In addition to growing its food processing accounts and prospecting new markets, Enzybel is hoping to set up a joint venture with a distributor for its wastewater solution.

JOE PETRUCCI is managing editor of Flying Kite. Send feedback here.