Bacchus Bio innovation

Bacchus Bio innovation Co., Ltd., established in March 2020, is a biotechnology firm that originated as a startup from Kobe University. The company was founded by Akihiko Kondo, a professor at Kobe University, who envisioned the convergence of chemical engineering and biotechnology after observing advanced automated labs and university-led ventures abroad in the 1990s. This experience formed the basis for the company's focus on bio-foundry research, driven by a desire to apply scientific advancements for societal benefit. Based in Kobe's Port Island, Bacchus Bio innovation leverages intellectual property and expertise from the university's advanced research in synthetic biology.

The core of the company's operations is its 'Integrated BioFoundry', a platform that provides an end-to-end service from microbial strain development to production process optimization. This foundry utilizes a 'Design, Build, Test, Learn' (DBTL) cycle, integrating digital technology with biotechnology to efficiently create highly functional microorganisms, or 'smart cells'. These engineered microbes are designed to produce a variety of useful substances, offering a transition from fossil fuel-based manufacturing to bio-based production. The company serves a diverse client base across the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries, helping them develop sustainable materials and products. Revenue is generated through contract services for substance production, technology development support, and the eventual commercialization of its own proprietary products.

Bacchus Bio innovation's service portfolio is multifaceted. The primary offering is the development of custom microorganisms for clients in sectors such as manufacturing, food, and healthcare. For instance, they can engineer microbes to produce alternative proteins, biopesticides, or materials for pharmaceuticals and chemicals that are otherwise difficult to synthesize. A notable service launched in spring 2023 is an 'intestinal microbiome culture model'. This model uses an in-vitro system to replicate the human gut environment, allowing food and functional material manufacturers to evaluate their products' effects on gut flora, thereby reducing development time and costs. A significant milestone was achieved in March 2023 when a joint proposal for developing technology to synthesize polymers directly from CO2 using microorganisms was selected for a Green Innovation Fund project by NEDO, a Japanese governmental agency.

Keywords: synthetic biology, bio-foundry, microbial breeding, smart cells, DBTL cycle, bio-manufacturing, sustainable materials, Akihiko Kondo, Kobe University startup, substance production, bioproduction, metabolic analysis, enzyme screening, process development, intestinal microbiome model, CO2 utilization, carbon recycling, biopharmaceuticals, alternative proteins, biopesticides, bio-based chemicals, fermentation technology, genome editing, circular economy, bioeconomy