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Toronto-based Biofect Innovations received $99,600 in funding for a project titled Production of a Novel Natural Protein Sweetener via Microbial Fermentation.
We spoke to Christian Delos Santos, co-founder and CEO at Biofect Innovations, to find out more about the company and its plans.
Q: Please explain what your company does and how your products are improving the food industry.
A: At Biofect Innovations, we’re really excited about the role of biotechnology in transforming the food sector. We’re combining advanced biotech with traditional fermentation techniques to create microbes that can produce food ingredients identical to their natural counterparts. This approach mirrors how we make familiar products like beer and wine, as well as life-saving medicines like insulin and vaccines. One of the most impressive aspects of this technology is its ability to replicate natural ingredients, all while avoiding the scalability and environmental hurdles typically faced by traditional agriculture.
Right now, our focus is on producing brazzein using this technology. Brazzein is a protein from the Oubli berry, a fruit native to West Africa. What’s unique about brazzein is its incredibly sweet nature – it’s about 2,000 times sweeter than sugar! This makes it a highly promising alternative sweetener, offering a healthier and tastier option than current alternatives. This is particularly significant for Canada, where diabetes is a major concern. Traditional agricultural scaling of brazzein would require vast land and resources, making it neither economical nor eco-friendly. However, our microbial fermentation approach allows us to produce brazzein on a large scale without needing the actual fruit, overcoming the challenges of traditional farming and offering a sustainable solution for food manufacturers who aim to create healthier products without compromise.
This is just the start. We see enormous potential in our technology, far beyond just brazzein. Looking ahead, we’re thrilled about the possibility of exploring and developing other ingredients and molecules. We’re all about bringing more sustainable options to the food industry and can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.
Q: What is your company’s mission?
A: Our mission at Biofect Innovations is to harness the power of biotechnology to produce sustainable food ingredients without compromising on consumer enjoyment and product quality. We are committed to innovating in the food sector by developing solutions that not only cater to global health and environmental needs but also enhance the culinary experience for consumers worldwide.
Q: Why did you apply for this funding and how will you use it?
A: We applied for this funding to support the scale-up of our brazzein production from lab to commercial volume. This increase in production is essential for refining our process and producing brazzein at a larger scale, which will enable us to generate more samples critical for the development of sugar-reduced products. Additionally, being a part of the CFIN network is a key aspect of our strategy. Leveraging its expertise and visibility will significantly benefit us, both on the Canadian and global stage, as we advance the use of brazzein as a healthier alternative in the food industry.
Q: What excites you most about working in this area of the food industry?
A: I think for us at Biofect Innovations, the most exciting aspect is realizing the potential of our technology. It’s absolutely fascinating to see how far technology has advanced, enabling us to essentially recreate high-value molecules using biotechnology. This has enormous potential for sustainably scaling molecules that were previously unattainable through traditional agriculture.
What’s really thrilling is the way this opens doors for innovation. We’re not just talking about making new products but also about revolutionizing the entire process of how certain ingredients are brought to market. This technology significantly reduces the environmental burden, addressing a critical need in today’s world. Most importantly, it contributes to solving the global demand for food that’s good for both people and the planet. It’s about creating sustainable, healthy options without compromising on quality or taste. To us, this is what makes the work exciting – knowing that we’re not just part of the industry, but we’re actively reshaping it for a better future.
Q: Why is collaboration so important for accelerating innovation in the food industry? Is it difficult to find good collaborating partners, and what would make the process easier?
A: Collaboration is crucial because the food industry is incredibly diverse, encompassing everything from agriculture and biotechnology to manufacturing and distribution. Collaboration allows for the pooling of expertise, resources, and perspectives from different sectors, fostering innovation that might not be possible within a single organization. Collaboration also speeds up the process of innovation by sharing risks and costs. Developing new technologies or products can be expensive and uncertain, especially for early stage companies like us. When companies collaborate, they can share the financial burden and reduce individual risk, making ambitious projects more feasible. But finding the right collaborating partners can indeed be challenging as it requires aligning not just in terms of technical capabilities or resources, but also in vision, values, and objectives. We’ve learned that it’s critical to find partners who share a common goal and are committed to mutual success.
Based on our experience so far, the collaborative process is made easier by industry networking events, innovation hubs, and platforms that facilitate connections between businesses can be invaluable. These can provide opportunities to meet potential partners and understand their capabilities and goals. In the context of Biofect Innovations, collaborations are opening doors to new applications of our technology, expanding our market reach, and providing insights into consumer needs and industry trends.
Q: Please comment on the importance of public funding to help companies clear innovation hurdles and access leveraged funds.
A: Public funding plays a crucial role in helping companies, especially those in the deep tech sector, overcome innovation hurdles and access leveraged funds. In the early stages of development, companies like ours, which are focused on cutting-edge technologies, face significant risks. The promise of our technology is high, but there’s a substantial amount of work to be done to prove its commercial viability. This is where the challenge often lies: securing funding. Investors may be hesitant to invest in technologies perceived as risky, leading to a classic “chicken or the egg” dilemma. Without funding, advancing the technology is difficult, but without a proven technology, securing funds is equally challenging.
Public funding can bridge this gap. It provides essential support for companies to develop their technology and prove the concept. By seeding companies in their early stages, public funding helps drive innovation. The ROI from public funding is not solely measured in financial terms, but also includes the advancement of new technologies that can address critical global challenges, improve quality of life, and contribute to economic growth. In our case, public funding would enable us to further develop our biotechnology solutions, creating jobs, and potentially transforming the food industry and contributing to a healthier, more sustainable food landscape.
Q: Looking ahead, what’s on the horizon for your company?
A: As we look ahead at Biofect Innovations, the main thing on our radar is scaling up brazzein. It’s an exciting phase where we’re focusing on fine-tuning our production process and planning how to bring this innovative sweetener to market. The goal is to get it into the hands of the food industry and consumers, showcasing what our technology can really do. Once we nail the commercial viability of brazzein, our sights are set on expanding our reach. We plan to explore other high-value molecules where our technology can make a significant impact. It’s not just about branching out randomly, we’re actively looking at areas where there’s a real need and where it makes economic sense. We strive to be thoughtful in our approach, tapping into different sectors where we can make a real difference with our biotech solutions.
Q: What are your passions or hobbies outside of work?
A: I’m a generally curious person and like to try new things, but I would say music is my true escape. I grew up in a family where playing multiple instruments was the norm, and I’ve kept that tradition alive as a guitarist. When I’m not deep into the world of biotechnology, you can find me playing guitar, often performing open mics for my pets as they’re my most supportive audience! As a team, we all strive to maintain this balance between work and personal interests. It’s always a challenge but we’re enjoying the journey so far!
Q: If you had to pick one person to make you a meal, who would you choose?