Symbiotec: Pioneering Biomanufacturing Solutions for Startups in a Challenging Landscape

In today’s competitive and funding-challenged environment, scaling up biomanufacturing remains a significant hurdle for startups. India-based Symbiotec is stepping up to bridge this gap, offering new capacity that could empower startups in diverse fields ranging from alternative proteins to nutraceuticals, helping them transition across the notorious “valley of death.”

Becoming a Versatile Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization

Symbiotec, a leading manufacturer of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), is now providing its expertise as a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO). The company is catering to firms in various sectors, including biomaterials, nutraceuticals, specialty chemicals, and alternative proteins derived from bacteria, yeast, fungi, and algae, according to US Investments Director Prakash Sawlani.

Expanding Capacity with Advanced Facilities

Located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, Symbiotec’s facility houses four state-of-the-art 100,000-liter fermenters, complete with comprehensive downstream processing capabilities, such as filtration, extraction, crystallization, and spray-drying. The company also operates pilot-scale fermenters of 2,000-L and 20,000-L, ensuring a smooth tech transfer process. Notably, the Ujjain site is powered by renewable energy.

Cost-Effective Solutions for Rapid Growth

Symbiotec’s strategy for rapid capacity addition includes co-investment opportunities, enabling quick and cost-efficient development and commissioning of equipment. “Our capital expenditures are typically a third to a quarter of US and European benchmarks,” Sawlani noted. As an owner-operator with an in-house engineering team, decisions are swift, scopes are clear, and approvals are expedited.

A Journey of Innovation: Learning from Challenges

Reflecting on the company’s evolution, Sawlani recounted a pivotal moment during the 2008 Beijing Olympics when manufacturing restrictions in China prompted Symbiotec to backward integrate their steroid manufacturing processes. “We needed to master fermentation science to produce our own starting materials, which led to our capability in building industrial-scale fermentation facilities,” he explained.

Bridging the Gap Between Food and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

As the demand for biomaterials and nutraceuticals grows, Symbiotec finds itself uniquely positioned in the marketplace. Sawlani stated, “We sit in the sweet spot between biologic companies producing high-value pharmaceuticals and beer manufacturers, with an emerging niche now created by foodtech.” This dual focus enables the company to provide effective scaling solutions for clients across various sectors.

A Competitive Edge in the Global Market

Symbiotec’s location in Asia is a major advantage, yet they assert their capacity to stand out further due to their extensive experience in fermentation technology. “Our understanding of fermentation science shapes our ability to build from the ground up, a necessity for our survival,” Sawlani emphasized.

Innovative Solutions for Specialty Chemicals and Beyond

Currently, Symbiotec is exploring partnerships with companies in specialty chemicals, flavors, fragrances, oils, and proteins. “Typically, expanding capacity in this industry is a multi-year process, but we can reduce this timeline significantly, achieving results in as little as nine months,” Sawlani remarked.

Adapting to External Challenges

When discussing the recent 50% tariff on Indian goods entering the US, Sawlani acknowledged that while this may lessen some advantages, it will not eliminate the cost benefits of capital expenditure that Symbiotec offers. “The long-term implications of these tariffs remain uncertain,” he added.

Conclusion: A New Era for Biomanufacturing

As startups grapple with the complexities of scaling in biomanufacturing, Symbiotec’s expertise and innovative infrastructure offer a promising solution. Their strategic focus on cost-effective, rapid deployment of manufacturing capabilities positions them as a leader in the biomanufacturing sector, ready to propel emerging companies into the future.