Amyris, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMRS) announced today that Joel Velasco has joined the company as senior vice president, external relations.

Velasco will serve as lead for Amyris's international public policy advocacy as well as help drive Amyris's global business development. In addition, he will provide advice and assistance in executing Amyris's expansion plans in Brazil and with regard to other strategic partnerships globally. Velasco will be based in Washington, D.C.

?Joel brings a unique industry experience with knowledge of both renewable products policy and the Brazilian cane industry,? said John Melo, CEO of Amyris. ?The addition of Joel's leadership to our management team enhances our ability to ramp our production and introduce our products on a global basis.?

Over the last three years as chief representative in North America for the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA), Velasco led UNICA's efforts to expand the North American biofuel and sugar markets. Prior to joining UNICA, Velasco was managing director of Stonebridge International, a strategic advisory firm based in Washington, D.C. Velasco also served as senior advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to Brazil and as a personal aide to Vice President Al Gore in the White House. Velasco will remain an informal advisor to UNICA on matters pertaining to U.S. biofuels policy.

About Amyris

Amyris is building an integrated renewable products company by applying industrial synthetic biology to genetically modify microorganisms to serve as living factories. Amyris designs these microorganisms to produce defined molecules for use as renewable chemicals and transportation fuels. Amyris Brasil S.A., a subsidiary of Amyris, oversees the establishment and expansion of Amyris's production in Brazil, including SMA Indústria Química S.A., its joint venture with São Martinho. In addition, Amyris is building fuels distribution capabilities in the United States through its subsidiary, Amyris Fuels, LLC. More information about Amyris and its subsidiaries is available at www.amyris.com.

Amyris, Inc.
Erin Kinsella, 510-597-4713
pr@amyris.com