About my Start-up
NovelYeast bv is a Belgian start-up company from the research group of Prof. Johan Thevelein at VIB/KU Leuven. It aims to exploit its extensive knowledge and technical know-how with yeast research and the many industrial applications of yeast for the development and commercial implementation of superior industrial yeast strains for the production of biofuels, bio-based chemicals, specialty sugars, single cell protein, alcoholic beverages, nutraceuticals, proteins and other applications, as well as engaging in R&D service for the utilization of yeast as a tool in industrial biotechnology, as well as for medical and agroindustrial applications. A first major focus of the company is the development of second-generation yeast with active secretion of cellulolytic enzymes for the production of ethanol, isobutanol, 2,3-butanediol, lactic acid and other bio-based chemicals with lignocellulosic biomass. NovelYeast also develops the associated on site saccharification and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation processes. A second major focus is the development of industrial yeast strains of different species for the production of low-calorie sugar sweeteners from cheap substrates. A third major focus is the development of superior probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii yeast strains. A fourth major focus is the production of proteins with the yeast Pichia pastoris. NovelYeast has a portfolio of granted patents and patent applications, including a patent application on the Warbicin® compounds, a novel family of anti-cancer compounds isolated with yeast and acting on the Warbicin effect in cancer cells.
Why your idea is a “winner"?:
The most important hurdle for the development of an economically viable bio-based industry that uses cellulosic waste streams for the production of biofuels and bio-based chemicals is the prohibitive cost of the commercial enzyme cocktails for the saccharification process of the lignocellulose. Our yeast strains and associated on site enzyme production process address this problem efficiently. Our probiotic yeast strains have proprietary genetic modifications that significantly enhance their probiotic potency and make them truly unique and highly attractive for treatment of intestinal diseases. Our novel yeast strains for the production of low-calorie sweetener sugars make use of highly innovative metabolic engineering strategies which enable unique and much cheaper production methodologies than currently exist. Our Warbicin® compounds are totally unique and act directly on the Warburg effect in cancer cells, which is a very extensively validated drug target.
What is your current or intended business/revenue model?:
Execution of client-initiated research projects provides R&D income in the short term and licensing income in the long term on the results and intellectual property generated. The licensing income will be used to carry out research projects in-house, of which the results and IP will again be licensed for additional income. We have multiple and very diverse R&D lines all based on yeast.
Do you have any Patent or IP registered (related to the solution that you are looking for an investment)?:
NovelYeast has three granted patents (in several jurisdictions worldwide), two patent applications and two trademarks.
Has your technology already been implemented in any field/sector?:
Yes, in pilot scale.
Which market and customer need(s)/problem(s) is (are) your products(s)/service(s) going to solve?:
1. Production of biofuels and bio-based compounds with lignocellulosic biomass: improvement of economic viability.
2. Production of low-calorie sugars with cheap substrates for diabetic and obese patients, and lifestyle.
3. Production of commercial Saccharomyces boulardii strains with improved probiotic potency for animal feed and human application for treatment of different intestinal diseases.
4. Production of meat-replacing plant proteins for the vegetarian market.
5. Production of novel drugs for treatment of cancer.
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