Aplantex

Aplantex is a Canadian biotechnology firm addressing supply chain instabilities and the environmental impact of traditional agriculture for plant-derived active ingredients. The company was established in 2019 by founding shareholder and current Chief Scientific Officer, Mourad Sabri, PhD. Dr. Sabri, who has a background in pharmacology, microbiology, and molecular biology, previously founded SyntBioLab Inc., a company specializing in bacteriophage-based alternatives to antibiotics. He has dedicated his efforts to Aplantex since 2020, leading its scientific development and partnerships.

The company operates on a business-to-business model, serving clients in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and agri-food sectors by providing a stable and sustainable source of high-value plant-based molecules. Aplantex's revenue is generated through the sale of these certified active ingredients, which possess properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects. The company's name, Aplantex, is a nod to its vision of being able to provide "Any PLANT EXpression," aiming to eventually supply 90% of all active ingredients found in plants.

Aplantex's core technology is an industrial platform that utilizes fast-growing, photosynthetic phytoreplicators to produce a rich biomass in a controlled, indoor environment. This process is independent of seasonal cycles and allows for continuous, local production. From this biomass, specific molecules, such as polyphenols, are extracted, fragmented, and purified. This method offers a significant advantage over conventional agriculture by using substantially less land and water, reducing transportation emissions, and ensuring a predictable supply with stable pricing. The technology also allows for the photosynthetic plant replicators to store up to 40% of their dry weight in atmospheric CO2, and in Quebec, they can be cultivated year-round using sustainable hydroelectric power.

Since its inception, Aplantex has achieved several milestones. In January 2023, the company appointed Patrick Charest as CEO to lead its growth phase. Mr. Charest is an engineer with over 25 years of experience in business development and holds degrees in biotechnology and chemical engineering. Aplantex secured $1.3 million in an initial financing round in January 2023, followed by a second round of $3.3 million in February 2024. More recently, in August 2024, the company closed a $2.8 million financing round led by private investors with participation from government and institutional sources like Investissement Québec, the Circular Innovation Fund, and Cycle Momentum, bringing its later-stage VC funding to a total of $2.04M.

Keywords: phytochemical ingredients, green biotechnology, sustainable ingredients, photosynthetic phytoreplicators, plant-based molecules, circular economy, controlled environment agriculture, bioactive compounds, plant molecular farming, sustainable supply chain, cosmetics ingredients, pharmaceutical ingredients, agri-food additives, Mourad Sabri, Patrick Charest, polyphenol extraction, biomass production, ESG compliance, cleantech, industrial biotechnology