Precision Fermentation’s Capacity Craze: Have We Lost the Plot?
Precision fermentation has been gaining significant attention in recent years, promising to revolutionize the way we produce bio-based products such as chemicals, medicines, and even cultivated meat. However, this manufacturing process still faces several challenges, including high costs and scalability issues. Enter Izote Biosciences, a startup that is developing a proprietary method to enable bacteria to "breathe without oxygen" inside a bioreactor.
The Birth of Izote Biosciences: A Proprietary Method for Bio-Based Molecules
Izote Biosciences was founded in 2022 by Victor Manuel Reyes-Umaña, a microbiologist and fermentation expert, along with John Coates from the University of Berkeley. The company’s technology has its roots in synthetic biology, which involves editing genomes to create useful inputs. Izote’s proprietary method enables the production of bio-based molecules for various industries, offering low-cost, local feedstocks.
A Step Change from Traditional Fermentation Process
Traditional fermentation processes rely on microorganisms engineered to produce specific compounds, requiring oxygen to breathe. This means that the entire system is designed around ensuring constant access to oxygen, determining what the bioreactor needs to look like and the equipment required. However, this approach imposes significant costs and complicates processes.
"Our innovation uses an alternative molecule to oxygen," said Samuel Atwood, co-founder and CEO of Izote Biosciences. "It resembles salt, and it’s about 100,000 times more soluble than oxygen. Instead of pumping air and mixing your broth, our process involves dissolving the salt into the media, and your organisms will swim toward it."
Benefits of Izote’s Anaerobic Organisms
The use of anaerobic organisms in bio processes utilizing Izote’s proprietary method can expect to see over 70% lower capital expenditures and gross margins of 50% to 100% higher. Customers only need a simpler bioreactor to achieve more predictable scaling performance and extend fermentation runs longer.
First Applications and Future Plans
Izote Biosciences’ first applications will be in the fragrance and flavor industries, with the company actively talking to large perfumeries. Future plans include scaling up production for various markets, including pharmaceuticals and agriculture.
Funding and Partnerships
In March 2023, Izote Biosciences announced a $20 million funding round led by investors such as Foundamental and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This investment will enable the company to further develop its technology and commercialize its products.
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