An innovative bio-based platform for the cost-competitive production of L-Fucose, a building block for Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs)

Project Information

FucoPol

Grant agreement ID: 736566

DOI

10.3030/736566

Project closed

EC signature date 29 July 2016

Start date 1 August 2016

End date 30 November 2016

Funded under

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

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

SETENTA E TRES MIL E CEM LDA
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FucoPol (An innovative bio-based platform for the cost-competitive production of L-Fucose, a building block for Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs))

Reporting period: 2016-08-01 to 2016-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Currently a large scale production of HMOs is not feasible due to the complexity and costs related to increasing availability of L-fucose. 73100 has developed and patented a novel bacterial biopolymer - FucoPol - as a natural source for the efficient and cost-competitive production of pure L-fucose. The main objective of the project is to demonstrate and validate the scalability of the platform, proving its usefulness for industrial-scale production.

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 project, 73100 accomplished a full analysis of the technical and business potential of FucoPol – the innovative bio-based platform for the production of L-fucose. In Phase 1, 73100 determined exactly what capabilities would be required from third parties both for the project duration and full commercial rollout. Through an extensive search of potential partners to support the scale-up activities the company were able to confirm the availability of Biotrend and Cipan for the project. Both companies have strong industrial biotechnology expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and both are also located in Portugal.

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)

73100 is set to become the world’s first large scale L-fucose producer. Current technologies are hindered by the complexity and costs related to the attempt to increase the availability of the core component, L-fucose. The innovative technology – on which the FucoPol production is based – entails its use as a natural platform to generate pure carbohydrates (fucose, galactose, glucose and glucuronic acid), either in mixtures with defined composition or as individual monosaccharides. Depending on the application of L-fucose, 73100 has the potential to sell to several different customer types. 73100 have identified the most desired applications for FucoPol derived products, mainly L-fucose, and have identified companies engaged in chemical synthesis for HMO’s, manufacturing of prebiotic food/beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. 73100 has the potential to first sell to chemical reagent distributors in Europe and North America. 73100 expects rapid growth once commercialized and increased profitability as their product is sold for new HMO applications (e.g. as a novel food ingredient). 73100 also has the potential to address relevant challenges faced by many European societies – mainly related to providing an adequate supply for high-quality food while enhancing innovation and sustainability in the production processes. In fact, glycoscience in Europe is fast becoming an essential part of modern innovative biotechnology and having access to state-of-the-art knowledge and technologies in this sector will provide the European bio-based industries with a strong competitive advantage on a worldwide stage.

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