Vivici Innovates Whey Protein Production with Groundbreaking Fermentation Technology

Vivici, a pioneering startup in the field of whey protein beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) production through precision fermentation, has successfully integrated advanced technology from Danish startup Enduro Genetics into its production processes. This collaboration has resulted in a significant increase in both titers and yields, two vital metrics that influence biomanufacturing efficiency.

Understanding Key Metrics: Titers and Yields

Titers refer to the concentration of the produced substance within a volume, while yields denote the efficiency of conversion from feedstock to product. According to Enduro Genetics, their innovative technology, known as Enduro Sense, led to a remarkable 30% enhancement in these metrics—achieved within just five months from initial technology transfer to full bioreactor validation, all while maintaining the existing process configurations.

Transformative Impact on Biomanufacturing

Marcel Wubbolts, CTO of Vivici, emphasized that Enduro Sense provides immediate and significant improvements in performance. “This technology not only enhances strain stability throughout the bioprocess but also allows us to pursue deeper cost optimization strategies such as draw-and-fill and continuous fermentation,” he noted.

The Challenge of Cell Production

As a spinout from the Technical University of Denmark, Enduro Genetics tackles a persistent challenge in biomanufacturing: the decline in production efficiency and subpar yields. CEO Christian Munch points out that traditionally, in a uniform production culture, only about 15-20% of cells become high producers, leaving a majority as inefficient consumers of valuable feedstocks.

How Enduro Sense Works

Enduro Sense enables a one-time genetic modification that alters this imbalance by encouraging cells to produce BLG as a survival mechanism. This process is achieved by linking the production of essential genes to the synthesis of the target protein, thereby promoting the growth of only the most productive cells in the bioreactor. Munch elaborates, “This significantly enhances unit economics, allowing bioproduction to be sustained over longer periods.”

Regulatory Considerations and Safety

A key advantage of the Enduro Sense technology is its integration into existing production strains without altering the media, production process, or introducing foreign DNA. The implementation process involved close collaboration between Enduro Genetics and Vivici, ensuring that all performance tests were effectively conducted.

Wubbolts expressed confidence regarding regulatory challenges, stating, “Incorporating strain improvements is a standard part of operations for companies producing fermentation-derived food ingredients.” Munch corroborated this, highlighting that Enduro Sense is designed to align with FDA GRAS and EFSA QPS frameworks, emphasizing its safety and non-disruptiveness to the production pathway.

Broader Applications and Future Potential

Although focused initially on microbial cells, Enduro Genetics has successfully adapted its technology for use in mammalian cells, paving the way for new applications within biopharma. Munch remains optimistic about the industry’s potential, asserting, “Every bioprocess deserves to leverage Enduro Sense.”

Vivici’s Rapid Progress in the Market

Founded in December 2022 through a partnership between Fonterra and DSM-Firmenich, Vivici has quickly established itself as a leader in innovation, capitalizing on the expertise of its founders in dairy protein and biomanufacturing processes. CEO Stephan van Sint Fiet remarked, “We’ve leapfrogged much of the field and positioned ourselves at the forefront of production technology.”

Vivici has secured partnerships with European producers and is collaborating with Liberation Bioindustries in Indiana to develop industrial-scale BLG production. Additionally, they are exploring large-scale fermentation facilities in the UAE with the support of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.

Recent Achievements and Future Outlook

Following a successful $34 million Series A funding round, Vivici has also obtained self-GRAS status for lactoferrin, expanding its product offerings further beyond BLG.

Conclusion

The ongoing innovations in biomanufacturing and the strategic advancements made by companies like Vivici and Enduro Genetics demonstrate a promising future for the industry, particularly in the production of alternative proteins and other biological products.

Further Reading

• Precision fermentation startup Verley raises $38m Series A as BLG unlocks new segment of protein market
• Standing Ovation nets $34m, gears up for US launch of casein via precision fermentation
• 21st Bio on strains, scale, and the valley of death: Fixing precision fermentation’s weak links
• DeNovo Foodlabs and EFFV create JV to scale lactoferrin via precision fermentation