Modernizing Algae Cultivation Practices to Enhance Applications as Nutritional Products
BIO, Montreal, July 25th 2017
Algenol Biotech LLC is an industrial biotech
company developing biobased products utilizing
algae (founded in 2006)
HQ, R&D and manufacturing in Fort Myers, FL
R&D facility in Berlin, Germany
Operates in multiple sectors
AgTech & Food applications
Algae based proteins
o Natural colorants
o Proteins for human and animal nutrition
Soil treatment
o Biostimulants
o Biofertilizers
Contract research, development and manufacturing
Algal product research and development
Synthetic biology: developing cyanobacteria
as heterologous expression systems
Photobioreactor-based algae production tolling
Ethanol and biocrude – through synthetic
biology
Algenol Overview
2
Algae as a platform meeting global needs
3
Biofuels and
Biocrude
($1,800 B)
• Biocrude
• Bio-gasoline
• Biobased
diesel
• Renewable
jet fuel
• Ethanol
Feed
($380 B)
• Fish feed
• Livestock
feed
• Bio-fertilizers
• Biostimulants
• Soil
reclamation
• Waste water
treatment
• Oil, fat and
protein
replacement
• Food
Ingredients
• Anti-aging
• Natural and
organic skin
care
• Single cell
proteins
• Carotenoids
and pigments
• Bioactive
compounds
Agro
Sciences
($150 B)
Food
($560 B)
Premium
Cosmetics
($80 B)
Nutraceuticals
($11 B)
ALGAE HAS CHARACTERISTICS SUITABLE FOR A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS
Source: Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Advanced Transport Research Note, June 2015.
Algae Nutraceuticals
4
Algae
Nutraceuticals
Carotenoids and
Pigments
Bioactive
CompoundsSingle Cell Protein
Beta Carotene
Astaxanthin
Lutein
Lycopene
Zeaxanthin
Cholorophyll
Natural Colorants
Fucoxanthin
Canthaxanthin
Antioxidants
Lipids
Carbohydrates
Peptides
Proteins
Vitamins
Spirulina
Chlorella
ALGAE NUTRACEUTICALS DRIVEN BY HEALTH BENEFITS, TREND TOWARD “NATURAL” FOOD
Source: Comprehensive Report on Attractive Algae Product Opportunities Preview (Feb. 2015)
Algae Agroscience products
Algae forAgro Sciences
Wastewater
treatment ($90 B)
Soil Treatment
($60 B)
Biofertilizers &
Biostimulants
Soil reclamation
Fertilizer runoff
reclamation
Sewage/wastewater
treatment
Biofilters for fish pond
effluents
ALGAE IN AG SCIENCES DRIVEN BY YIELDS, SUSTAINABILITY CONCERNS & ORGANIC FARMING
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Carbon sequestration
Algenol can enable production of multiple algae based products
Algenol Core Technology
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Natural ColorantsFood, beverage,
cosmetics
Nutraceuticals
Phycocyanin, spirulina
Personal Care Ingredients
Functional and active
Oil based products
Omega 3s
Soil TreatmentActive fertilizer
ingredients, biostimulants
Protein for nutrition
Vegan, excellent amino acid profile
PBR Array
Fort Myers, FL7
Enclosed production
systems industrialize
algae cultivation
Highly efficient algae
growth
Each PBR maximizes light distribution and
moderates temperature for maximum yields
System eliminates contamination from dirt,
debris, bird feces, fly larvae and other unwanted
substances
PBRs efficiently deliver carbon dioxide and
nutrients to the algal culture
PBRs allow tight control over algal culture
conditions permitting better control over desired
algae composition
PBRs limit contamination from other algae
species to maintain monoculture conditions
Greater product concentrations at harvest
compared to open ponds
System automation reduces labor costs
Proven effectiveness across broad range of
algae types
Low cost systems
open up profitable
large-scale
cultivation
The Algenol Vertical Photobioreactor (PBR)
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How we industrialized Algae cultivation
An Industrial Production System
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Criterion Open Pond Technology
Traditional PBR
technology
Algenol PBRcultivation
system
Algenol PBR Advantages
Capital Costs Low Very High Medium Low cost PBRs, optimized for commercial ops
Product Quality Variable High High Improved product consistency due to reduced risk of contaminating bacteria, algae and toxins
Productivity Low to Medium High High At least 2X open pond productivity, due tohigher volumetric and area production rates
Scalability High Very Low High Algenol PBRs suitable and designed for large industrial operations
Ability to handle wide range of algae
High Low Medium to High Proven ability to handle different types of algae
Ability to handle genetically engineered (GE) algae
Low High High Approved GE algae; easier permitting
Manage yields of components
Low High High Can configure PBR system conditions to optimize specific components
Contamination control Low High High Self-contained system with optimized clean-up procedures and low risk pf process upsets
Precise process control Low to Medium High High Precise control of flow, air & CO2 diffusion
Sustainability Medium to High High High Lower water and CO2 losses. Low carbon footprint.
Productivity Advantages of Vertical PBR Arrays
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Dark area
Competing & predator organisms
Constrainedlight utilization
CO2, Waterlosses
• Higher Productivity Better light management Reduced competing organisms Better gas management
• Sustainability Less fresh water use Improved nutrient utilization Better CO2 utilization
Efficient light utilization
VERTICAL PBR ARRAYS TRADITIONAL OPEN PONDs
Very Low CO2 losses
High exposure layer
• Competitive costs Lower total lifecycle costs Higher product quality State-of-the-art PBRs
Low Culture stress
11
PBR Array Measurements and Controls
Fully automated systems allow precise process control
Business Focus: Natural Colorants
A spirulina algae strain (Arthrospira platensis) is exempt from the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) certification
Firm regulatory footing in the US, EU and Japan
$2 billion/7% annual growth market with strong positive drivers – high profit potential
Spirulina contains protein based phycocyanin pigments, which provide a vivid blue color
DIC-Earthrise, Parry Nutraceuticals and a few Chinese spirulina producers already sell
phycocyanin produced by cultivating and harvesting open ponds
Algenol will produce cost competitive phycocyanin using commercially-proven, clean,
controlled and highly productive photobioreactors
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Business Focus: Proteins
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• Protein market has huge potential for large-scale expansion of our business
• Potential $15 Billion market for human nutrition alone
• Spirulina has a “Super Food” profile, which consumers find attractive
• Spirulina includes important amino-acids that vegetable proteins are deficient in
• Spirulina’s regulatory status and consumer acceptance are important factors
• Algenol production platform offers potential to deliver rich nutritional value of algae proteins at competitive cost while providing process traceability and control
• Multiple valuable byproducts from the production of protein
010203040506070
Protein % w/w
Protein % w/w
Extensive experience in development of cyanobacteria as
heterologous expression systems
Proteins, enzymes and biochemicals
Ethanol and higher alcohols, biocrude
Targeted Approaches
Introductions or modifications to known genes expected or intended to result in a
specific improvement to strain
Non-Targeted Approaches
Screens, selections, and adaptation to identify strains with improved properties
Mutagens can be used to increase genetic diversity
Transposon mutagenesis allow quick gene ID and full segregation
Additional traits can be added to improved strain
With modern ‘omics technologies, this is a powerful method for gene discovery
Complete molecular tool box for multiple strains
Plasmid vector construction
Conjugation and transformation
Homologous recombination
Trait stacking
Synthetic Biology Capabilities
14
15
Algae
R&D
Algae
Process
Development
Algae
Commercial
Production
Algae
Regulatory
Approvals
Key Capabilities:
Key Deliverables:
Key Activities:
• 30,000 ft2 labs
• Very large algal strain
collection
• Lab based algae
screening capability
• Synthetic Biology
• Lab process
development
capabilities
• 4.5 acre Process Dev.
Unit (PDU)
• Analytical chemistry
• Large-scale
outdoor process
scale-up
• High performance
PBR Design and
Manufacturing
• Licensed site
• Lab screening,
photobiology, lab
cultivation
• Develop/improve
algae strains
• Analyze cellular
constituents
• Test multiple strains in
outside conditions
• Optimize PBRs and
cultivation procedures
• Develop commercial
process designs
• Perform Product QC
• Test commercial
designs at pre-
commercial scale
• Secure product
approvals and
certifications
• Secure permits for
GE algae, e.g.
MCAN, state permits
• Secure all
environmental
permits for site
• FDA “game plan”
• Experience with
State and Federal
regulations
• Toxicology
screening
• NEPA on 36-acres
Fort Myers site
• MCANs for new
strains.
• Regulatory approval
• Identification of best
strains to meet
commercial specs.
• Validation of economics
• Preliminary designs
• Pre-commercial samples
• Final designs
• On-spec commercial
batches
Algenol One Stop Shop for Commercialization
• Highly productive and sustainable algae
production platforms
• Ability to develop all natural products and
customize them for individual clients
• State-of-the-art laboratory facilities –
United States and Germany
• Advanced in-house analytics
• Dedicated, high tech cultivation rooms
• Integrated biology and engineering R&D
• Highly skilled and specialized scientists
The Algenol Advantage
For more information, please contact us:
Jacques Beaudry-Losique, CBO
703-389-0690
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