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Conagen innovates novel natural-source retinol for cosmetic formulations

Bedford, Mass., Aug. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Conagen, the bioplatform innovator and biomanufacturer, has developed a first–of–its–kind, natural–sourced class of sustainable retinol derivative ingredients through precision fermentation. This achievement in new retinol active ingredients reshapes beauty and personal care applications.

"Conagen is ready to commercialize these retinoid ingredients in 2024," said VP of Flavors and Fragrances, Yisheng Wu, Ph.D. at Conagen. "Beauty and personal care brands seeking the newest technology in retinol formulation flexibility are encouraged to explore Conagen's retinoid ingredients."

Conagen's retinoids derivatives are created by covalently binding retinoids with another cosmetic active ingredient into a single molecule. The retinol is produced with a 100% renewable carbon source through the precision fermentation process. Through the fusion of retinol and a second complementary ingredient, the technology offers consumers functionalities that extend beyond wrinkle reduction and anti–aging benefits.

“This new development empowers cosmetic formulators to create products that excel in both performance and innovation, aligning with the ever–evolving demands of today's discerning consumers," said Wu. "By providing enhanced stability, controlled release, and multifunctional capabilities, Conagen's retinoid derivatives redefine the possibilities within the cosmetic industry."

A notable feature of Conagen's innovative retinoid variants is their adaptability. Depending on the selected partner for pipeline integration, these compounds introduce flexibility, enabling cosmetic formulators to incorporate a secondary function. This presents opportunities for inventive features that uniquely enhance cosmetic formulations.

Pushing the limits in creative beauty, Conagen's primary achievement lies in the improved stability these retinoid derivatives provide. This enhanced stability enables cosmetic products to ensure a consistent and extended release of retinol, resulting in long–lasting effects on the skin. Traditional retinol is known to cause skin irritation, such as redness, dryness, and peeling. Conagen's retinol ingredients aid in the formulation of low–irritation retinol products. These ingredients are compatible with other compounds, such as squalene, bakuchiol, and pomegranate extract, maximizing delivery and effectiveness while minimizing potential off–target effects.

According to Innova Market Insights, online consumer searches for retinol in beauty and personal care are rising. With approximately 1 million tags on Instagram and a growing trend, the demand for this anti–aging active ingredient continues to surge. Innova's global report highlights consumers prioritizing anti–aging and anti–acne properties in skincare, followed by blemish reduction.

The success of this retinol innovation originates from the unique high–yield carotenoid platform led by Wu, who has worked on the project for years. This meticulously studied platform has yielded numerous widely utilized carotenoid compounds, including beta–carotene and astaxanthin. By introducing additional steps in the metabolic pathway, Conagen can make retinol at high efficiency. This same versatile platform holds the potential to generate various flavors, fragrances, and nutritional compounds derived from carotenoids, further underlining its significance.

“Conagen's achievement underscores its steadfast commitment to pushing the boundaries of biotechnology and driving innovation," said Wu. "As the cosmetic industry undergoes transformation toward clean and sustainable, Conagen remains at the forefront of transformative advancements, poised to contribute to a new era in cosmetic formulation."

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About Conagen

Conagen is a product–focused, synthetic biology R&D company with large–scale manufacturing capabilities. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop high–quality, sustainable, nature–based products by precision fermentation and enzymatic bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, beauty, personal care, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries. www.conagen.com

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8898570)

Conagen and Sumitomo Chemical jointly develop a new era of renewable carbon materials

Bedford, Mass., Aug. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Conagen, the bioplatform innovator and biomanufacturer, and Sumitomo Chemical, Japan's leading chemical company, have announced to jointly develop p–hydroxystyrene (HS) and its polymer, poly p–hydroxystyrene (PHS), using a combination of biosynthesis, chemosynthesis, and polymerization. The monomer and the polymer are 100% renewable carbon, marking a new era of sustainable production.

Developing PHS using a combination of biosynthesis, chemosynthesis, and polymerization represents a significant breakthrough in sustainable material production. Efforts to reduce reliance on petroleum and transition towards renewable and sustainable alternatives have gained momentum in recent years. With renewable biomass as the starting material, this joint devolvement between Conagen and Sumitomo Chemical creates an environmentally friendly and cost–effective product. The partnership is in the lead position of active global initiatives to reduce petroleum–based products' consumption and environmental impact.

This partnership represents a significant milestone in developing sustainable materials, and this approach to PHS production is expected to reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional chemical synthesis methods. It is a crucial step towards more sustainable manufacturing processes with a positive impact.

The Conagen–Sumitomo partnership leverages Conagen's expertise in microbial strain design and development with Sumitomo Chemical's proficiency in chemical production and commercialization. The collaboration aims to create a platform that enables the production of sustainable chemicals to replace petrochemicals in an extended range of many applications.

PHS is used to produce polymers, resins, and other chemicals. The monomer HS can also be used as an input for the synthesis of other substances, such as pharmaceuticals and fragrances. The applications of HS and PHS are limitless and can span uses from electronics to personal care and other consumer products.

"This partnership represents a significant step forward in pursuing green chemicals for sustainable material production,” said J. McNamara, Ph.D., V.P. of chemical applications at Conagen. “Our commitment is a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential of combining our technologies with synthetic and polymer chemistries to create innovative, sustainable solutions that can significantly reduce petroleum–based products in the environment,” McNamara stated. "Together, we're marking a new era of carbon–neutral material production efforts.”

The monomer HS, with the chemical formula C8H8O, is a derivative of styrene in which a hydroxyl group (–OH) is attached to the aromatic ring's para position (carbon atom 4). The HS and PHS are examples of green chemistry for minimizing waste, reducing hazardous chemicals, and using catalysts that can be easily separated and reused. This joint development project promises to potentially pave the way for developing novel renewable and sustainable materials. "Similar technology can be used to produce other key chemical ingredients by fermentation at industrial scale, such as cinnamic acid, monohydroxy–benzoic acid, and dihydroxy–benzoic acid," said McNamara.

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About Conagen

Conagen is making the impossible possible. It is a product–focused, synthetic biology R&D company with large–scale manufacturing service capabilities. Its proprietary strain development, fermentation, and scale–up technologies enhance our partners' sales, production, and profitability across a broad spectrum of current and developing markets in food, beverage, nutrition, flavor and fragrance, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials.

About Sumitomo Chemical

Sumitomo Chemical is Japan's leading chemical company, with a global presence in the chemicals, petrochemicals, and plastics industries. The company is committed to sustainability and has a product portfolio contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.Top of Form

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8884420)

Conagen develops debondable adhesive for textiles and soft materials from natural bioingredients

Bedford, Mass., July 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — When more than 92 million tons of textile waste are landfilled annually, new solutions are needed to enable fabric reworking in manufacturing and recycling on a mass scale. Conagen, the biotechnology innovator, announced the development of a groundbreaking debondable textile adhesive made from high–performance materials sourced from sustainable and natural biomolecules.

Conagen's debondable adhesive offers a major application in the realm of reworkability during clothing production. Traditionally, when mistakes occur during manufacturing, it can lead to material wastage and additional production costs.

The reworkability aspect of Conagen's adhesive presents a game–changing solution for the clothing industry. It allows for quick and efficient correction of errors without the need to discard and waste valuable materials. Adjustments can be made by simply debonding the adhesive and the fabric components can be seamlessly reworked, resulting in improved production efficiency, reduced material waste, and significant cost savings for manufacturers.

Moreover, debonding textile fabric plays a vital role in textile recycling by enabling efficient material separation, preserving material quality, expanding recycling opportunities, and advancing the goals of a circular economy.

Traditional adhesives used in garment manufacturing often create a permanent bond, making it challenging to separate fabric components during recycling. Conagen's debondable adhesive not only drives sustainability through fabric recycling but also offers a practical and economical solution for optimizing production processes in the clothing industry. The ability to debond and rework materials bring newfound flexibility and efficiency, benefiting manufacturers and the environment.
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“Conagen's pioneering adhesive has unlocked new possibilities and opportunities. This groundbreaking development enables efficient material separation during reworking and recycling processes and preserves the integrity of textile fibers, ensuring their quality for future utilization,” stated Sara Johnson, senior materials scientist. “With the introduction of Conagen's adhesive, we are taking a significant stride towards achieving a more sustainable and environmentally responsible textile industry.”

Having previously created debondable adhesives for other sectors, such as appliances, smartphones, cars, and more, Conagen identified the significant benefits such an adhesive could bring to the textile and clothing industry and tailored a new product specifically to its needs.

Adhesives and tapes are commonly used today in garment manufacturing, either alone or in combination with stitching. This is particularly evident in the manufacturing of women's underwear, where up to six layers of material are often glued together to achieve the desired fit and comfort. It is essential to bring attention to these modern manufacturing methods as they reflect the evolution of textile production.

Conagen's new adhesive offering provides strength comparable to existing fabric adhesives but with the added feature of controlled debondability at end–of–life. Inspired by self–healing materials, Conagen utilizes sustainable and natural ingredients to create high–strength debondable hot melt adhesives. Unlike traditional offerings, this new adhesive is designed with reversibility, exhibiting the strength of conventionally cured adhesives, with the added benefit of transitioning to a flowable material after heating.

Conagen's high–strength debondable textile adhesive can be used for garments, but also extends to accessories and other soft goods applications. Furthermore, the technology is compatible with both natural and synthetic fibers and materials.

To develop sustainable debondable textile adhesives, Conagen leverages its precision fermentation technology, independent of plant source materials, to create more efficient and sustainable bio–based ingredients compared to chemically–synthesized versions.

“Conagen's fermentation technology is forging a path towards a more sustainable future, where the utilization of sustainable biocompounds and biomaterials takes center stage in propelling high–performance solutions that prioritize environmental consciousness," said J. McNamara, vice president of chemical applications.

The seam tapes market stood at $128 million in 2020. It was projected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.9% between 2020 and 2025, making Conagen's adhesive formulation lucrative for a supplier to distribute to clothing manufacturers.

Debondable adhesives have the potential to significantly impact the market by offering a more sustainable and efficient solution for fabric bonding. The ability to easily debond materials could lead to increased adoption of adhesive–based manufacturing techniques and open up new opportunities for textile reworking and recycling, thereby potentially expanding the market for debondable adhesive products.

Conagen's hallmark in biotech specialty and industrial space lies in discovering applications from the platform of natural biocompounds and biomaterials, ushering in a new era of high–performing and sustainable materials.

"By harnessing the power of fermentation, Conagen is leading the charge in promoting greener alternatives and revolutionizing industries with its commitment to sustainability and innovation," said McNamara.

Conagen's commitment to green chemicals and sustainability has been greatly reinforced by its strategic partnership with Sumitomo Chemical. The collaboration represents a major step forward in their shared vision of developing biosolutions for a more sustainable future.

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About Conagen

Conagen is a product–focused, synthetic biology R&D company with large–scale manufacturing capabilities. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop high–quality, sustainable, nature–based products by precision fermentation and enzymatic bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries. www.conagen.com

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8872187)

Conagen starts first commercial production of sustainable Tyrian purple for textile dye

Bedford, Mass., Jan. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Conagen announced the successful scale–up of its sustainable, cost–effective Tyrian purple, a historically coveted and expensive dye found in rare and limited sources in marine nature.

Conagen is the world's first and only biotechnology company commercializing a sustainable Tyrian purple by fermentation. As with any biologically–sourced textile dye, this color–fast compound reduces pollution and carbon footprints when used as an alternative to petrochemically synthesized dyes commonly used in the textiles industry today.

Also known as Phoenician purple, royal purple, imperial purple, or imperial dye, this rare dye dates back several millennia to the bronze age when the Phoenicians from Tyre, Lebanon, on the Levantine coast, produced it for the ancient Greeks, Persians, Byzantines, and the Roman empire to clad emperors and kings with luxury textiles. Tyrian purple was once worth more than its weight in gold for its prized deep rich purple. In 301 CE, during the Roman Empire, one pound of Tyrian purple dye was priced at approximately three Troy pounds of gold, roughly $66,000 in today's currency.

Current producers extract and harvest Tyrian purple from the murex shellfish in much the same way as the ancient Phoenicians. Thousands —– approximately 10,000 or (54 kilograms (119 lb.) of these predatory sea snails are required to make diminishing quantities of Tyrian purple to produce 1 gram of the dye, making it impracticable, expensive, and environmentally unfriendly. Ancient dye producers all but drove the murex species to extinction along the coasts of Phoenicia, evident in the vast deposits of the shells excavated on the outskirts of Sidon, Tyre, and across the Mediterranean.

Conagen's Tyrian purple, produced by precision fermentation and bioconversion, is a natural, sustainable dye ideal for textile companies under pressure to deliver fashions more sustainably and with a reduced global environmental footprint, especially from manufacturing.

"Conagen is democratizing the exclusive use of a color once reserved for royalty —– now obtainable on a global scale," said Casey Lippmeier, Ph.D., senior vice president of innovation. "Our fermentation and bioconversion technologies enable us to offer true–to–nature products. By leveraging Conagen's bioengineering and commercial manufacturing capabilities, we're unlocking Tyrian purple's great potential as an accessible and sustainable dye. We expect Tyrian purple to inspire fresh ideas in multiple industries, making this rare and exciting color more marketable with planet–conscious consumers."

The Tyrian purple technology is based on two of Conagen's many key bioengineering platforms, which enable accelerated product development timelines for its competitive phenolics, terpenoids, proteins, and peptide molecules.

As an example, Conagen's phenolics platform was used to make an important antioxidant, hydroxytyrosol, the active health ingredient found in oil, juice, and fruit in olives. Using another platform, Conagen has optimized the production of different amino acid–based products, including the nutraceutical antioxidant ergothioneine, a "longevity vitamin" currently branded as "Ergoactive" by Conagen's pipeline partner Blue California. To produce the Tyrian purple, Conagen drew from both proprietary platforms to develop novel enzymes which increase the conversion efficiency of precursors to the dye.

"Conagen has further solidified its leadership in the bioeconomy by rapidly producing multiple novel and interesting molecules, such as Tyrian purple," said Lippmeier. "Our technology platforms have been meticulously engineered and improved upon for over a decade, and they are extremely efficient at making targeted compounds from an expanding array of molecular classes for our internal product development and collaborative ventures."

Conagen aims to replace petroleum–based ingredients and reduce carbon footprints with green technologies. Tyrian purple adds to Conagen's natural color offerings, including several carotenoids made by fermentation which have been scaled to global production. As a dye, Tyrian purple is ideal for textile fabrics, clothing, handbags, and related accessories.

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About Conagen

Conagen is making the impossible possible. Our scientists and engineers use modern synthetic biology tools to program micro–organisms and enzymes on a molecular level to produce high–quality, sustainable, natural products manufactured worldwide via precision fermentation and bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceuticals, and renewable materials.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8725973)

Conagen develops high-purity non-GMO sulforaphane by bioconversion

Bedford, Mass., Nov. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Expanding on its portfolio of innovative nutritional products through biotechnology, Conagen, announced the development of its 99% high–purity sulforaphane. Made by a proprietary bioconversion technology, the company plans to begin the commercialization path in 2023. Conagen's bioconversion methods enable the production of sustainable products from many naturally occurring compounds regardless of rarity or small quantities occurring in nature.

"As a supplement product, Conagen's high–purity sulforaphane is appealing to consumers as the levels found in raw vegetables are too low to realize many of its promising health benefits," said Casey Lippmeier, Ph.D., senior vice president of innovation. "We're looking forward to expanding the nutritional market by commercializing sulforaphane in 2023."

Sulforaphane has been associated with supporting health benefits against cancer, diabetes, digestion, and heart disease and promoting cognition. With biotechnology and biomanufacturing advancements, much like Conagen's bioconversion technology, more nutritional offerings are produced at a high–quality and global scale.

Sulforaphane is found in cruciferous vegetables such as arugula, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, radish, and more. In these vegetables, the inactive form of glucoraphanin belongs to the glucosinolate family of plant compounds. The sulfur–rich sulforaphane is activated only when vegetables are chewed or chopped to release myrosinase, a class of enzymes that play a role in the defense response of plants.

"Through Conagen's bioconversion technology, we're uncovering the great potential in sulforaphane as a powerful active health ingredient for consumers who are personalizing nutrition to support health functions," said Lippmeier. "We can make safe and high–quality nutritional ingredients from natural sources and offer it at a global–scale cost–competitively so that brands may pass on the good health and savings to their consumers."

Conagen's sulforaphane is ideal for non–GMO supplement solutions to formulate products with a sustainable and natural consumer appeal. More research is emerging for understanding the optimistic effects on multiple health functions. As one example of many, biotechnology and biomanufacturing will continue to harness the power of biology and nature to develop and deliver solutions for better nutrition, health, and wellness. Conagen is expanding its sustainable, nutritional products portfolio to better humankind and the planet.

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About Conagen
Conagen is making the impossible possible. Our scientists and engineers use modern synthetic biology tools to program micro–organisms and enzymes on a molecular level to produce high–quality, sustainable, natural products manufactured worldwide via precision fermentation and bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceuticals, and renewable materials.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8705501)

Conagen’s fermentation platform expands on promising novel forms of vitamin K2

Bedford, Mass., Oct. 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Biotech innovator, Conagen announced the development of its fermentation–derived vitamin K2 – a high–purity all–trans menaquinone–7 (MK–7). This is the first molecule from a proprietary platform for producing novel, pure, long–chain menaquinone forms of the vitamin. The platform enables low–cost manufacturing and yields high–quality products, making it attractive to health brands.

"Conagen's MK–7 technology produces a clean profile of the vitamin without other similar molecules, such as ubiquinone," said Casey Lippmeier, Ph.D., senior vice president of innovation at Conagen. "Our process allows us to make pure forms of any long–chain menaquinone, be it 6, 7, 8, 9, and these can be consumed in various combinations with other vitamins or with each other to make the most effective supplement possible. As the clinical evidence evolves, so can the supplement."

Vitamin K2 helps to regulate calcium mobility in bones and restricts calcium buildup in blood vessels, leading to stroke and heart disease. MK–7 is the more bioavailable form of K2 on the market; the other major form is MK–4, which both have taken a strong position in the markets for bone and cardiovascular health.

The biological activity of MK–7 is strictly linked to its all–trans configuration, which is naturally found in fermented superfoods such as natto. Cis–analogues are considered biologically inactive. Synthetic versions of MK–7 contain some amount of the cis–isomer form. Low–quality sources containing cis forms affect the efficacy of the vitamin.

Other long–chain forms of vitamin K2, such as MK–8 and MK–9, exist naturally in cheeses. Research on the health benefits of these other K2 forms has only begun to emerge.

Personalized nutrition is popular with consumers looking for technological breakthroughs in functional foods and nutrition. Conagen's cost–effective fermentation–derived MK–7 provides new opportunities for brands to develop products to meet the demand of the growing aging population.

"We're demonstrating our capabilities with innovative technologies that expand market choices in nutrition," said Lippmeier. "Our fermentation and bioconversion platforms have also produced the clean nutrient ergothioneine and the antioxidant taxifolin, further demonstrating the versatility of our platform technologies."

Conagen's research into the MK–7 production process was done in part as a 3–year collaboration with the lab of Prof. Anthony Sinskey at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Health brands interested in non–GMO, vegan vitamin K2 MK–4 and MK–7 and special ingredients, such as ErgoActive L–Ergothioneine and Taxifolin BC DHQ for nutrition and food and beverage preservation, respectively, can contact Blue California, a pipeline partner of Conagen. To inquire more about Conagen's products or partnerships, please visit www.conagen.com.

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About Conagen

Conagen is a product–focused, synthetic biology R&D company with large–scale manufacturing service capabilities. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop high–quality, sustainable, nature–based products by precision fermentation and enzymatic bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8685378)

Conagen’s fermentation platform expands on promising novel forms of vitamin K2

Bedford, Mass., Oct. 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Biotech innovator, Conagen announced the development of its fermentation–derived vitamin K2 – a high–purity all–trans menaquinone–7 (MK–7). This is the first molecule from a proprietary platform for producing novel, pure, long–chain menaquinone forms of the vitamin. The platform enables low–cost manufacturing and yields high–quality products, making it attractive to health brands.

"Conagen's MK–7 technology produces a clean profile of the vitamin without other similar molecules, such as ubiquinone," said Casey Lippmeier, Ph.D., senior vice president of innovation at Conagen. "Our process allows us to make pure forms of any long–chain menaquinone, be it 6, 7, 8, 9, and these can be consumed in various combinations with other vitamins or with each other to make the most effective supplement possible. As the clinical evidence evolves, so can the supplement."

Vitamin K2 helps to regulate calcium mobility in bones and restricts calcium buildup in blood vessels, leading to stroke and heart disease. MK–7 is the more bioavailable form of K2 on the market; the other major form is MK–4, which both have taken a strong position in the markets for bone and cardiovascular health.

The biological activity of MK–7 is strictly linked to its all–trans configuration, which is naturally found in fermented superfoods such as natto. Cis–analogues are considered biologically inactive. Synthetic versions of MK–7 contain some amount of the cis–isomer form. Low–quality sources containing cis forms affect the efficacy of the vitamin.

Other long–chain forms of vitamin K2, such as MK–8 and MK–9, exist naturally in cheeses. Research on the health benefits of these other K2 forms has only begun to emerge.

Personalized nutrition is popular with consumers looking for technological breakthroughs in functional foods and nutrition. Conagen's cost–effective fermentation–derived MK–7 provides new opportunities for brands to develop products to meet the demand of the growing aging population.

"We're demonstrating our capabilities with innovative technologies that expand market choices in nutrition," said Lippmeier. "Our fermentation and bioconversion platforms have also produced the clean nutrient ergothioneine and the antioxidant taxifolin, further demonstrating the versatility of our platform technologies."

Conagen's research into the MK–7 production process was done in part as a 3–year collaboration with the lab of Prof. Anthony Sinskey at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Health brands interested in non–GMO, vegan vitamin K2 MK–4 and MK–7 and special ingredients, such as ErgoActive L–Ergothioneine and Taxifolin BC DHQ for nutrition and food and beverage preservation, respectively, can contact Blue California, a pipeline partner of Conagen. To inquire more about Conagen's products or partnerships, please visit www.conagen.com.

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About Conagen

Conagen is a product–focused, synthetic biology R&D company with large–scale manufacturing service capabilities. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop high–quality, sustainable, nature–based products by precision fermentation and enzymatic bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries.

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8685378)

Conagen unveils commercial production of high-purity non-GMO salidroside

Bedford, Mass., Sept. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Conagen announced the commercialization of its 99% high–purity salidroside made by bioconversion technology, an active ingredient from the herbal plant Rhodiola rosea (golden root). Its strong antioxidant properties as an adaptogen are associated with reducing inflammation, protecting against oxidative stress in cells, and providing relief from depression, fatigue, and stress. Salidroside has also been used to alleviate high altitude sickness.

Unlike other salidroside products currently on the market, Conagen's salidroside is non–GMO. Conagen leveraged its industry–leading bioconversion technology to produce clean, sustainable salidroside, identical to the compound naturally found in the Rhodiola rosea plant —– the same technology used to produce non–GMO Rebaudioside M, other steviol glycosides, and bitter blockers for sugar reduction solutions which are available from their pipeline partner, Sweegen.

Conagen's 99% high–purity salidroside, made by bioconversion, is ideal for non–GMO supplement solutions to formulate products with a sustainable and natural consumer appeal. It is readily soluble in water and is very formulable in food and beverage applications.

"We're reimagining the way in which rare ingredients are sourced to make them safer and higher–quality for use in health–promoting products," said Casey Lippmeier, Ph.D., senior vice president of innovation at Conagen. "Our bioconversion technology enables us to deliver non–GMO products. Through this technology, we're unlocking salidroside's great potential as a powerful active health ingredient and as a tool for food and beverage producers to adopt a more natural way to preserve food and beverages."

Food and beverage producers benefit from Conagen's salidroside as it also possesses antimicrobial properties, making it useful as a natural preservative solution for brands seeking alternatives to artificial preservatives. Salidroside expands Conagen's portfolio of natural preservatives, such as Taxifolin BC–DHQ and Rosavel rosmarinic acid, currently available from another pipeline partner, Blue California.

Stress reduction is popular among consumers, typically addressed by exercise or indulgence in food and beverages. More consumers are taking a holistic approach to their health, including their mental well–being and sleep. They are exploring adaptogens as one of the additional positive ways to add an edge to their diets and lifestyles.

"Salidroside is one of the rare, natural molecules with proven adaptogenic activities which correlates to stress reduction," said Lippmeier. "Initially identified in botanical extracts, adaptogens are promising new options in the quest to relieve the stress of our daily lives. This trend opens new opportunities for supplement brands and food and beverage manufacturers to adopt a health–focused profile for their products."

Conagen accelerated salidroside production by leveraging one of its proprietary molecular platforms, which have also been used to produce the clean antioxidants hydroxytyrosol and p–coumaric acid. Salidroside is a glucoside of tyrosol. Conagen's antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds, hydroxytyrosol and p–coumaric acid are also now available through Blue California.

The inputs of fermentation are tightly controlled, dramatically reducing the chance of contamination with heavy metals, fungal toxins, and other unsafe materials that may be found in traditional medicine preparations. Rhodiola rosea extract is most commonly used in Europe and Asia. Its medicinal use for reducing stress and depression can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty in the classic medicinal scripture Compendium of Materia Medica.

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About Conagen

We're making the impossible possible. Conagen is a product–focused synthetic biology R&D company with large–scale manufacturing capabilities. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop high–quality, sustainable, nature–based products by precision fermentation and bioconversion technologies. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries. www.conagen.com

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Conagen commercializes scalable sweetness enhancers from nature

Bedford, Mass., July 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Conagen, the Massachusetts–based biotech firm, announced the commercialization of an expansive portfolio of natural sweetness enhancers for taste modification in sugar reduction solutions for food and beverages. The enhancers are made with precision fermentation, a technology that has led to the innovation of an extensive platform of phenolic antioxidants.

Sweetness enhancers in the market today are made by chemical synthesis or by using an organic solvent extraction method, both of which are time–consuming, labor–intensive, and environmentally unfriendly. Conagen's precision fermentation method is a preferred, clean, and sustainable method for developing sweetness enhancement compounds.

"These unique molecules are yet another example of how Conagen leverages its molecular platforms and precision fermentation capabilities to create useful ingredients for food and beverage applications. Our ability to rapidly scale modern, clean and sustainable sweetness enhancers provides additional and better options for taste modulation and sugar reduction beyond those enabled by the non–caloric sweeteners already on the market," said Casey Lippmeier, Ph.D., vice president of innovation at Conagen.

Conagen's sweetness enhancers belong to a group of natural product molecules called phenolic compounds, found extensively in many plant species. Phenolic compounds are commonly found in vegetables and fruits and are a significant part of the human diet. They are biosynthesized by plants and lichens as secondary metabolites and comprise a diverse group of phytochemicals.

Increasing consumer awareness of chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes sparks the market pull trend toward zero sugar and low–to–no calorie food and beverages and is expected to continue upward. The health trend drives the growth in new sweetness enhancer technologies for an ever–demanding sugar reduction solutions market. Consumers are seeking ways to improve their diets and are increasingly interested in natural and clean ingredients.

Conagen and its pipeline partner Sweegen, a global leader in wellness–based sugar reduction solutions, have previously teamed up to develop modern natural sweeteners that can replace up to 100% sugar in particular food and beverage applications and bitter blockers to mitigate up to 80–100% bitterness in consumer trending products, such as energy drinks, sauces, and confectionery products with low to no sugar.

"Together, with Conagen, we're building a bridge of natural solutions with mainstream taste," said Casey McCormick, head of global innovation at Sweegen. "These new molecules can modulate mouthfeel and boost the sensation of the sweetness of other sweeteners and flavors in food and beverages, leading to a significant reduction in sugar usage."

McCormick further stated, "Conagen is an ideal innovation partner for Sweegen to continuously build our robust and powerful portfolio and pair it with our first–class sweetener systems. The more sweetness enhancers in our toolbox, the better our exploration and discovery of new ways for food and beverage brands to make healthier products that taste great and resonate with consumers."

Sweegen has a long–standing partnership with biotechnology innovator Conagen. Conagen focuses on developing sustainable, nature–based ingredients that improve existing options in the market or represent completely novel ingredient solutions.

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About Conagen
Conagen is a product–focused synthetic biology R&D company with large–scale manufacturing capabilities. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop high–quality, sustainable, nature–based products by precision fermentation and enzymatic bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries. www.conagen.com

About Sweegen
Sweegen provides sweet taste solutions for food and beverage manufacturers around the world.

We are on a mission to reduce the sugar and artificial sweeteners in our global diet. Partnering with customers, we create delicious zero–sugar products that consumers love. With the best modern sweeteners in our portfolio, such as Bestevia Rebs B, D, E, I, M, and N, and brazzein, along with our deep knowledge of flavor modulators and texturants, Sweegen delivers market–leading solutions that customers want, and consumers prefer. Well. Into the Future.

For more information, please contact info@sweegen.com and visit Sweegen's website, www.sweegen.com.

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Conagen’s New Dihydro Resveratrol Made By Clean Bioconversion Inspires Novel Products and Drives Market Growth

Bedford, Mass., May 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Massachusetts–based biotech Conagen announces the development of a new scalable natural compound, dihydro resveratrol, for use in industrial and human health applications. Conagen's dihydro resveratrol is made by bioconversion from p–coumaric acid (pCA), a natural preservative Conagen produced by precision fermentation.

The same proprietary bioconversion technology used to make dihydro resveratrol can be used to make resveratrol and other polyphenol class molecules. Both compounds are natural metabolites of plants, such as berries and grapes, and are commonly found in red wine.

Because resveratrol and dihydro resveratrol exist in only very small quantities in plants, cultivation, extraction, and purification are very inefficient, using more land, water, and energy. Instead, Conagen starts with pCA made using fermentation of microorganisms. Bioconversion of pCA allows Conagen to use a much smaller footprint to make dihydro resveratrol and related compounds.

"The development of dihydro resveratrol demonstrates Conagen's strong capability to manufacture and deliver innovative and versatile compounds for multiple large–scale applications," said Casey Lippmeier, vice president of innovation. "Our proprietary bioconversion and precision fermentation capabilities enable the production of sustainable high–quality polyphenols for use in novel products which drive the growth of new markets."

Resveratrol molecules in the category of polyphenols possess rich antioxidant properties. Its anti–inflammatory and antioxidant activity are linked to protective effects against heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and cognitive decline. Conagen has announced several polyphenol products over the past few years, such as Taxifolin BC–DHQ (dihydroquercetin), kaempferol, Rosaval rosmarinic acid, and hydroxytyrosol, establishing a strong leadership in the development of polyphenol compounds.

In addition to their importance in human health applications for improving the quality of life, dihydro resveratrol and resveratrol are also important industrial intermediates. They offer valuable use in many industrial applications, such as plastic additives, paints, resins, polymers, and high–temperature–resistant biomaterials.

Conagen is working with multiple industrial partners to develop novel applications of dihydro resveratrol, resveratrol, and related compounds.

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About Conagen

Conagen is a product–focused, synthetic biology R&D company with large–scale manufacturing service capabilities. Our scientists and engineers use the latest synthetic biology tools to develop high–quality, sustainable, nature–based products by precision fermentation and enzymatic bioconversion. We focus on the bioproduction of high–value ingredients for food, nutrition, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceutical, and renewable materials industries. www.conagen.com

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