This suite of technologies enables us to unlock the power of synthetic biology from discovery and genomic sequencing, bioengineering to production optimisation (pilot scale production).
Ex Planta operates a world-class research and development facility based at the University of Western Australia.
Ex Planta is innovating an approach using bio-synthetic fermentation expressed from yeast combining genomic sequencing and bioengineering to produce synthetic isoflavonoids comparable to nature. Our high-quality bio-fermentation process will be commercially scalable, offering a lower total cost of production, increased bioavailability and long-term sustainability.
Isoflavonoids belongs to flavonoids/phenylpropanoid family of plant secondary metabolites that play diverse role in plant and human health. Studies have indicated that daily consumption of isoflavonoids (Daidzein, Formononetin) is associated with low risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. A study on Japanese women highlighted that consumption of food rich in isoflavonoids is associated with low risk of migraine, menopause syndrome, diabetes and hypertension. Isoflavonoids are predominantly present in legumes, and over 2400 isoflavonoids have been identified so far from more than 300 plants including 59 non-legumes.
Being parent isoflavonoids, daidzein and genistein and their methylated derivatives (formononetin and biochanin-A, respectively) are present in all isoflavonoids producing plants and therefore, are most commonly consumed. All these isoflavonoids have several health benefits including estrogenic, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities. Additional pharmacological activities of these isoflavonoids i.e. neuroprotective, anticancer and antihypertensive have also been tested.
Therefore, potential nutritional, cosmetics and medicinal applications have made daidzein, genistein, and their derivatives formononetin and biochanin-A, interesting candidates for drug development.
Traditionally Isoflavonoids are produced from crops through expensive and time-consuming methods from growing, harvesting, processing and finally extracting ("in-planta" - growing, harvesting, processing and extracting).
Our proprietary de novo biosynthesis of isoflavonoid pathway in yeast cell factories is an enabling technology that can produce any of the thousand isoflavone compounds produced through fermentation disrupting the traditional supply chain with an optimum product with increased bioavailability.
Ex Planta’s intellectual Property is a revolutionary bio-synthetic production system for the best method of synthesising isoflavones such as daidzein, genistein, formononetin and biochanin-A.
For further information, development and commercial partnering opportunities for biosynthesis of isoflavonoid pathway in yeast cell factories contact us.
