Asterix Foods Secures $4.2M to Revolutionize Bioactive Proteins at Unbeatable Price Compared to Precision Fermentation

Asterix Foods recently emerged from stealth mode, successfully closing a $4.2 million seed round led by CPT Capital. They received backing from ReGen Ventures, SOSV, Grok Ventures, and the Israeli Innovation Authority.

There is a growing demand for high-value bioactive proteins, which are becoming crucial in food and biotech innovation. Traditionally, these proteins are produced through precision fermentation, where microbes are genetically engineered to produce them in bioreactors. However, this method is costly. Setting up a single fermentation facility can cost between $125 million to $500 million, making large-scale production challenging.

Asterix offers a unique alternative. Instead of engineering microbes, they use plant cell suspension cultures within Massively Parallel Modular Bioreactors (MPMB). This innovative approach reduces facility costs by over 95%, shortens development timelines from years to months, and eliminates the need for expensive cleanrooms.

Dan Even, CEO of Asterix Foods, highlights the significance of bioactive proteins, stating, “They unlock new applications in food, nutrition, and health.” Asterix’s system demonstrates how future production facilities can be deployed quickly, flexibly, and at much lower costs.

Plant cells have advanced machinery that allows them to produce complex proteins, including glycoproteins that are hard for microbes to make efficiently. Unlike microbial fermentation, which depends on fast-growing organisms susceptible to contamination, plant cells offer more resistance, allowing for simpler production processes.

Currently, Asterix operates a pilot facility in Tel Aviv, showcasing the flexibility of its production method. This facility doesn’t depend on arable land, making it easy to set up near manufacturing hubs, thus lowering transportation costs and emissions.

The modular system from Asterix enables continuous production year-round. This is a significant improvement over traditional plants, which often face downtime for cleaning. By operating at room temperature, these bioreactors also reduce energy and water consumption greatly.

Harry Kalms from CPT Capital points out, “Asterix’s capex-light system allows production to be located exactly where needed.” Many companies are now turning to new methods to produce high-value proteins ahead of rising market demands.

Po Bronson from SOSV notes that plant cell suspension cultures are already implemented by 16 major global corporations for products ranging from vaccines to food pigments. Asterix is advancing this technology to create alternative proteins more efficiently and cost-effectively.

What makes Asterix particularly appealing is its modularity. Partners can start with low volumes and minimal upfront costs, scaling as needed. Even smaller facilities can produce various proteins simultaneously.

With this new funding, Asterix plans to expand its Tel Aviv pilot facility and begin delivering samples to customers. This marks a significant step toward addressing the critical protein supplies of the future that are currently in short supply.

For more information about the rise of bioactive proteins and their applications, you can explore [this article](https://www.reuters.com/article/health-bioactive-proteins-idUSL1N2QI0E2) that discusses the broader trends in the industry.

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