Slimming and Memory-Booster MIcroaLgae Extract

Project Information

SMILE

Grant agreement ID: 726799

DOI

10.3030/726799

Project closed

EC signature date 1 July 2016

Start date 1 August 2016

End date 31 July 2019

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

Total cost

€ 2 614 115,75

EU contribution

€ 1 780 028,60

Coordinated by

MICROPHYT
France

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - SMILE (Slimming and Memory-Booster MIcroaLgae Extract)

Reporting period: 2019-01-01 to 2019-07-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The SMILE project Phase 2 aims at developing microalgae-based innovative natural marine ingredients based on recently discovered bioactive compounds, with scientifically demonstrated benefits on weight management and cognitive functions. Through an innovative and patented technology, MICROPHYT produces sustainably and markets unique bioactive compounds extracted from the untapped diversity of microalgae. SME Instrument Phase 2 first objectives are (i) production and characterization of several batches of SMILE ingredients (iii) demonstration of SMILE ingredients safety with required studies by authorities (iii) demonstration of SMILE ingredients benefits with pre-clinical and clinical studies.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the third period, Microphyt conducted the following activities:

1) Writing of the SMILE New Dietary Ingredient dossier and submission to the FDA
Microphyt has wrote a complete notification dossier for one of its ingredients. Microphyt has ensured the follow up of this task with regular exchanges with regulatory experts who supported the dossier. The notification was submitted on the 9th of July and accepted by the FDA on the 20th of September.

2) Internalization of the downstream process (DSP) in Microphyt
Microphyt has completely internalized the full industrial process to product SMILE ingredient. Microphyt has also updated its quality system after an evaluation visit conducted last December.

3) Launch of new efficacy studies
Microphyt has launched new efficacy studies regarding prevention of the cognitive declin and weight management in order to complete proof already obtained.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Main results are described in the previous section.

Besides, as regards socio-economic impacts of the SMILE project, Microphyt has continued the communication strategy around the benefits of SMILE ingredients. For examples, Microphyt participated as exhibitor to Vitafoods and more than 20 customers were also visited to present them the SMILE range.

Also, Microphyt is continuously working on improving quality management and sustainability. The EnVol Label which engages the company sustainably in an action plan for the preservation of the environment was reviewed in 2019. Microphyt has also requested for a second evaluation of its quality management system in order to identify improvement suggestions.

In addition, Microphyt raised €28.5 million to develop its portfolio of microalgae-based natural solutions for nutrition and well-being. This investment was co-led by Sofinnova Partners and Bpifrance, through the “Sociétés de projets Industriels” funds (“SPI fund”), together with IXO-Private Equity and Sofilaro. The existing investors, Supernova Invest, Demeter Partners and Irdi Soridec, renew their confidence in the company by participating in this round. The funds will be used to accelerate the development of the products portfolio, to expand sales network globally, as well as to increase production capacity of Microphyt’s industrial platform.

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