First scalable food-grade technology for the direct extraction and purification of miRNAs-rich extracts from plants

Project Information

Mirnagreen

Grant agreement ID: 877373

DOI

10.3030/877373

Project closed

EC signature date 14 August 2019

Start date 1 July 2019

End date 30 November 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

MIRNAGREEN S.R.L.
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Mirnagreen (First scalable food-grade technology for the direct extraction and purification of miRNAs-rich extracts from plants)

Reporting period: 2019-07-01 to 2019-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, pose a significant health and economic burden worldwide, accounting for more than 60% of all global deaths. Increasingly, health organizations, governments and citizens themselves are taking a more pro-active stand towards healthier lifestyles. Dietary intake of fruit and vegetables - whose daily consumption recommended by WHO is at least 400g - is an effective factor in reducing NCDs and chronic inflammation-related mortality risks. The anti-inflammatory capacity of fruits and vegetables is attributable to their microRNAs, which are small non-coding RNA (sRNA). Nevertheless, despite their immunomodulatory action, the poor availability of sRNA in the normal diet make them insufficient to carry out this function.

Mirnagreen is the most extensive and sustainable platform of all-natural, non-modified functional microRNA extracts, based on an exclusive and proprietary food-grade technology to extract and purify sRNA from plants. The company's production process enables full valorisation of all residues in the food chain, as it derives from plant waste generated by local food producers.

Mirnagreen is a radically new solution that can be integrated into a wide range of products, from nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals/personal care products to agro bio stimulants, pet food, etc and, eventually, to drugs and therapeutic solutions for chronic inflammation.

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 Phase 1 project, MRG accomplished a full analysis of the technical and business potential of its platform for sRNAs extraction and purification and of the final ingredients obtained from this process, named Mirnagreen. Throughout the duration of the feasibility study, MRG expanded its knowledge of the industries where Mirnagreen can be used, in particular the European nutraceutical and cosmeceutical markets, which are its two identified go-to-market sectors.

In Phase 1, MRG confirmed the minimum viable product and prepared a detailed work plan with the activities to be implemented to reach the commercial phase. It also contacted and confirmed key external partners that will be needed to finalise the innovation project. As a conclusion to the business feasibility assessment, MRG determined that Mirnagreen is the source of a viable commercial application, and that it has the potential to efficiently provide sRNA extracts to be formulated in different products. Thanks to the feasibility study, MRG was able to identify the main go-to-market customers for the product, identify what potential customers desire from the company and also perform detailed market and competitor analyses.

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)

NCDs pose a significant burden on the global population and on the resource costs of healthcare providers, whose impact will be even bigger in the next future, especially due to ageing populations. At the same time, citizens are taking a more proactive approach to their health and wellness and they perceive preventive nutrition as one of the most effective strategies for disease prevention and improved quality of life in general. Healthcare systems in Europe are continuously changing, reorganizing and adapting to respond to changing demographics and budget restrictions. Solutions such as Mirnagreen can play a key role in future healthcare, especially for treatment of NCDs, thanks to their cost-effectiveness. Alos, the extracts have a wide range of applications, fitting into some of the currently fastest growing markets like nutraceuticals and cosmeteuticals. Finally, ecological and sustainable products for the health and wellness market are highly desired at present. MRG’s production model will be fully sustainable by extracting sRNA from plant waste of local producers to be later exploited in energy biomass plants for energy production, in line with the EU stand for the promotion of circular economy principles.

mirnagreen.png