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The collaboration is focused on identifying and enhancing the genetic pathways in microbes that support the production of novel metabolites. This will be done using Evogene’s MicroBoost AI tech-engine and Verb Biotics’ access to the genomes of various microbial strains, as stated by the companies.
“Partnering with Evogene gives Verb Biotics a cutting-edge advantage to revolutionize microbiome-driven health solutions,” said Noah Zimmerman, chief technology officer at Verb Biotics. “By utilizing Evogene’s technology, we are able to streamline and de-risk our innovation pathway, focusing on function-first approaches for optimal microbiome health.”
The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Function first for precision biotics
Verb Biotics, a synthetic biology spinout of Ginkgo Bioworks based in Boston, was launched in 2021 with a mission to develop probiotics, postbiotics, and synbiotic solutions that deliver specific metabolites with targeted mechanisms of action. These solutions target areas such as digestive health, stress and mood, healthy aging, sports recovery, and women’s health.
Unlike the traditional approach, Verb Biotics prioritizes function over isolated bacteria, investigating potential mechanisms of action to achieve desired physiological and psychological outcomes. The company then selects microbes from its product library that produce these metabolites at levels capable of achieving the desired health benefits.
In June 2023, Verb Biotics acquired YSOPIA Bioscience’s strain library, which includes bacterium Christensenella minuta, known for its potential role in regulating energy balance and metabolic homeostasis. The company plans to launch its first commercial offering for food, beverage, and supplement brands in the upcoming year.
Big data and artificial intelligence
Evogene, a function-first company, harnesses big data and artificial intelligence through three tech engines: MicroBoost AI for microbes, ChemPass AI for small molecules, and GeneRator AI for genetic elements. Its subsidiaries use these engines to develop a variety of products in sectors such as human microbiome-based therapeutics, ag-biologicals, ag-chemicals, medical cannabis, and castor varieties for biofuel and other industries.
This collaboration highlights Evogene’s commitment to utilizing cutting-edge AI technology in new areas and opening new opportunities in the life sciences industry. Working together with Verb Biotics, the goal is to drive innovation in probiotics and push the boundaries of what can be achieved in the field.
MicroBoost AI not only identifies high-potential product-specific candidates but also identifies the biological reasoning behind its selection, improving the chances of success in subsequent development phases and reducing time and cost.
This collaboration aligns with the growing importance of global microbiome research and increasing consumer awareness of the significant role that gut microbiota composition plays in overall wellness.
According to market research firm Spherical Insights, the interest in probiotics is driving a global market expected to reach nearly $114 billion by 2032, with the fastest growth projected in North America.
