Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SEB (Scalable and Eco-friendly Bioproduction)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-01-01 bis 2024-12-31
Founded in 2020, Core Biogenesis is a French biotech startup whose aim is to become a European leader of sustainable bioproduction. Through a patented plant-based production platform, the company unlocks the promises of bioeconomy by allowing large production of pharmaceutical-grade recombinant proteins. The first applications tackled are growth factors and cytokines used in Xeno Free cell culture media for cell and gene therapies manufacturing, which currently represent a considerable bottleneck because of high production costs and insufficient volumes. Other applications fields comprise food biotech, cosmetics, and therapeutics at a later stage. After promising proofs of concept and the setup of an industrial demonstrator in Strasbourg, the company is initiating its scale-up to commercially meet market demand within aggressive timelines.
The ambitious Scalable Ecofriendly Bioproduction (SEB) project supported by the EIC was designed to accelerate the standardization and industrialization of its plant-based GF biomanufacturing platform. This 360° scale-up deals with both upstream (biomass generation : crop growth) and downstream (GF extraction and purification) phases of the production process. Core Biogenesis’ development strategy is based on 4 main objectives:
- To generate and validate transgenic Camelina Sativa strains producing IPSC cell culture specific growth factors
- To optimize greenhouse and open field culture protocols of these strains in order to generate sufficient biomass
- To optimize and validate the extraction, purification and quality control process of the specified growth factors.
- To obtain GMP qualification for the GF for application in clinical & commercial fields, but also food biotech industry or cosmetics in response to market traction.
The ambitious Scalable Ecofriendly Bioproduction (SEB) project supported by the EIC was designed to accelerate the standardization and industrialization of its plant-based GF biomanufacturing platform. This 360° scale-up deals with both upstream (biomass generation : crop growth) and downstream (GF extraction and purification) phases of the production process. Core Biogenesis’ development strategy is based on 4 main objectives:
- To generate and validate transgenic Camelina Sativa strains producing IPSC cell culture specific growth factors
- To optimize greenhouse and open field culture protocols of these strains in order to generate sufficient biomass
- To optimize and validate the extraction, purification and quality control process of the specified growth factors.
- To obtain GMP qualification for the GF for application in clinical & commercial fields, but also food biotech industry or cosmetics in response to market traction.
The SEB project was structured into five main work packages (WPs), each with clearly defined objectives and deliverables aimed at scaling Core Biogenesis’s plant-based bioproduction platform from prototype to industrial readiness. Below is a summary of the work performed and results achieved per work package.
WP1 – Development and Characterization of Transgenic Strains
Objective: Engineer high-yielding Camelina sativa strains expressing four key recombinant growth factors: Activin A, FGF-2, HSA, and TGF-β.
D1.1 (D1): A generic platform strain incorporating Core Biogenesis’s proprietary yield-enhancing genetic elements was developed and optimized. A seed master was established for this foundational strain.
D1.2 (D2): Seed master banks were successfully created for each of the four GF-specific strains following cross-breeding strategies.
D1.3 (D3): Expression levels and bioactivity of each GF were quantified, confirming successful production and biological functionality in the transgenic plants.
Milestones achieved as planned.
WP2 – Agronomic Optimization and Biomass Production
Objective: Develop scalable, high-yield greenhouse and field protocols to generate biomass from engineered strains.
D2.1 (D4): Validated 3 kg-scale greenhouse cultivation protocols for each strain, ensuring controlled and reproducible growth conditions.
D2.2 (D5): Best-performing lines for each GF were identified based on growth behavior, protein yield, and expression stability.
D2.3 (D6): Optimized and consolidated seed banks were produced for scale-up activities.
Successful greenhouse scale-up established; strain selection finalized without major deviation.
WP3 – Downstream Processing & Quality Control
Objective: Develop robust downstream processes for extraction, purification, and quality control of the growth factors.
D3.1 (D7): Standardized protocols for extraction from plant biomass were developed, focusing on recovery efficiency and scalability.
D3.2 (D8): Purification protocols were optimized to yield high-purity growth factors compatible with regulatory and market requirements.
D3.3 (D9): Analytical quality control workflows were designed and validated, including activity assays and impurity profiling.
Core purification workflows validated; QC procedures set up to support GMP-readiness.
WP4 – Communication, Dissemination & Business Development
Objective: Establish market visibility, strategic positioning, and commercial readiness.
D4.1 (D10): Dissemination and communication activities were documented, including media outreach, presentations, and early partnership conversations.
D4.2 (D11): A full market scoping exercise was completed, with updated competitor mapping and stakeholder engagement across biotech, foodtech, and cosmetics.
D4.3 (D12): A comprehensive and updated business plan was delivered, incorporating go-to-market strategy, pricing models, and IP positioning.
Clear traction observed in B2B interest and market alignment.
WP5 – Project Management
Objective: Ensure efficient project coordination and compliance.
D5.2 (D14): This final report includes the final data management plan and overall project closure documentation.
Project executed on time and within scope.
WP1 – Development and Characterization of Transgenic Strains
Objective: Engineer high-yielding Camelina sativa strains expressing four key recombinant growth factors: Activin A, FGF-2, HSA, and TGF-β.
D1.1 (D1): A generic platform strain incorporating Core Biogenesis’s proprietary yield-enhancing genetic elements was developed and optimized. A seed master was established for this foundational strain.
D1.2 (D2): Seed master banks were successfully created for each of the four GF-specific strains following cross-breeding strategies.
D1.3 (D3): Expression levels and bioactivity of each GF were quantified, confirming successful production and biological functionality in the transgenic plants.
Milestones achieved as planned.
WP2 – Agronomic Optimization and Biomass Production
Objective: Develop scalable, high-yield greenhouse and field protocols to generate biomass from engineered strains.
D2.1 (D4): Validated 3 kg-scale greenhouse cultivation protocols for each strain, ensuring controlled and reproducible growth conditions.
D2.2 (D5): Best-performing lines for each GF were identified based on growth behavior, protein yield, and expression stability.
D2.3 (D6): Optimized and consolidated seed banks were produced for scale-up activities.
Successful greenhouse scale-up established; strain selection finalized without major deviation.
WP3 – Downstream Processing & Quality Control
Objective: Develop robust downstream processes for extraction, purification, and quality control of the growth factors.
D3.1 (D7): Standardized protocols for extraction from plant biomass were developed, focusing on recovery efficiency and scalability.
D3.2 (D8): Purification protocols were optimized to yield high-purity growth factors compatible with regulatory and market requirements.
D3.3 (D9): Analytical quality control workflows were designed and validated, including activity assays and impurity profiling.
Core purification workflows validated; QC procedures set up to support GMP-readiness.
WP4 – Communication, Dissemination & Business Development
Objective: Establish market visibility, strategic positioning, and commercial readiness.
D4.1 (D10): Dissemination and communication activities were documented, including media outreach, presentations, and early partnership conversations.
D4.2 (D11): A full market scoping exercise was completed, with updated competitor mapping and stakeholder engagement across biotech, foodtech, and cosmetics.
D4.3 (D12): A comprehensive and updated business plan was delivered, incorporating go-to-market strategy, pricing models, and IP positioning.
Clear traction observed in B2B interest and market alignment.
WP5 – Project Management
Objective: Ensure efficient project coordination and compliance.
D5.2 (D14): This final report includes the final data management plan and overall project closure documentation.
Project executed on time and within scope.
Summary of SEB Project Results and Future Needs
The SEB project has successfully validated the first fully integrated, plant-based platform for producing high-value recombinant growth factors at unprecedented scale and cost-efficiency. Combining synthetic biology, agritech, and downstream bioprocessing, Core Biogenesis has proven both technical and commercial feasibility for a next-generation biomanufacturing model.
Key Achievements
Developed four transgenic Camelina sativa strains expressing growth factors (Activin A, FGF-2, HSA, TGF-β), all with confirmed bioactivity.
Implemented robust greenhouse cultivation and initiated open-field scaling.
Designed scalable, IP-protected extraction and purification protocols.
Built a QC framework ready for GMP transition.
Delivered a commercial roadmap validated by early customer interest across cell therapy, cultured meat, and cosmetics.
These outcomes establish Core Biogenesis as a pioneer in replacing conventional, high-cost systems (CHO, E. coli, yeast) with a xeno-free, scalable, photosynthesis-powered platform for protein production.
Next Steps for Scaling and Uptake
To achieve market penetration, the following are needed:
Continued R&D for yield improvement and new targets.
Execution of pilot GMP batches and regulatory submission.
Formalization of offtake agreements and B2B brand launch.
Access to finance for GMP facility expansion.
Expansion of IP portfolio and involvement in standard-setting.
Internationalization strategy for global regulatory alignment and localization.
Conclusion
SEB not only proves the feasibility of plant-based protein production, but lays the groundwork for a decentralized, ecological, and economically viable future for biologics manufacturing. With the right support, Core Biogenesis is positioned to lead this transformation at scale.
The SEB project has successfully validated the first fully integrated, plant-based platform for producing high-value recombinant growth factors at unprecedented scale and cost-efficiency. Combining synthetic biology, agritech, and downstream bioprocessing, Core Biogenesis has proven both technical and commercial feasibility for a next-generation biomanufacturing model.
Key Achievements
Developed four transgenic Camelina sativa strains expressing growth factors (Activin A, FGF-2, HSA, TGF-β), all with confirmed bioactivity.
Implemented robust greenhouse cultivation and initiated open-field scaling.
Designed scalable, IP-protected extraction and purification protocols.
Built a QC framework ready for GMP transition.
Delivered a commercial roadmap validated by early customer interest across cell therapy, cultured meat, and cosmetics.
These outcomes establish Core Biogenesis as a pioneer in replacing conventional, high-cost systems (CHO, E. coli, yeast) with a xeno-free, scalable, photosynthesis-powered platform for protein production.
Next Steps for Scaling and Uptake
To achieve market penetration, the following are needed:
Continued R&D for yield improvement and new targets.
Execution of pilot GMP batches and regulatory submission.
Formalization of offtake agreements and B2B brand launch.
Access to finance for GMP facility expansion.
Expansion of IP portfolio and involvement in standard-setting.
Internationalization strategy for global regulatory alignment and localization.
Conclusion
SEB not only proves the feasibility of plant-based protein production, but lays the groundwork for a decentralized, ecological, and economically viable future for biologics manufacturing. With the right support, Core Biogenesis is positioned to lead this transformation at scale.