Synopsis
StrainX Bioworks, a synthetic biology and precision fermentation startup, has raised $13 million to advance its biotechnology platform. The company, with a team of over 100 experts, aims to scale production to 100,000 litres and forge global partnerships, positioning India as a leader in biological manufacturing.Listen to this article in summarized format
Founded by IIT Delhi alumni Akshay Mittal and Alok Malaviya, the startup has spent the last two years operating in stealth mode while building its research and engineering capabilities. During the period, StrainX expanded its team to more than 100 scientists, engineers and operators, including 15 PhDs.
The company has built an integrated biotechnology platform spanning strain engineering, fermentation, process scale-up and product development. Precision fermentation is a biotechnological process that uses genetically modified microorganisms, such as yeast or bacteria, as “cell factories” to produce proteins, enzymes and other compounds.
Breaking down the core innovation, chief executive Akshay Mittal said synthetic biology involves engineering microbes through genetic coding and replication of natural biological processes "to manufacture high-value products using fermentation systems".
StrainX said it has already demonstrated fermentation on a 10,000-litre scale, a key milestone in precision fermentation, and is now preparing to scale up to 100,000-litre production capacity as it moves towards commercial production.
Mittal said the startup will focus on high-value food and beverage ingredients used in products such as chocolates, icing and nutritional applications, alongside alternative proteins and pharmaceutical products developed through precision fermentation.
“We are currently engaging with two sets of customers — global food and beverage companies, and large food distribution players that will supply ingredients to F&B brands,” Mittal told ET. The startup says it is in discussions with 20-30 food and beverage companies globally for supply partnerships.
Mittal added that only a handful of companies globally currently possess the capability to combine molecular biology, strain engineering and large-scale fermentation at commercially viable price points.
The CEO added India has the scientific talent and engineering capability to become a global leader in biological systems and next-generation manufacturing.
The fresh capital will be used to strengthen research and development, expand scientific and engineering teams, and accelerate commercialisation through large-scale fermentation projects and global partnerships.
