Biotech start-up, Eclipse Ingredients, is using precision fermentation to unlock ingredients previously unavailable while offering a more scalable and sustainable approach to traditional ingredient production. Spun out of national science agency, CSIRO, Eclipse was co-founded by Siobhan Coster.
Eclipse uses advanced fermentation-based process to efficiently produce new ingredients from yeast instead of animal sources. The process enables access to ingredients that are difficult or impossible to source through traditional methods.
CEO and co-founder, Siobhan Coster, said precision fermentation can unlock access to previously unavailable ingredients, like human lactoferrin.
“We’re harnessing advances in the age-old fermentation process to create ingredients that simply weren't previously accessible,” Coster said.
“Precision fermentation works by engineering microorganisms, such as yeast, to produce proteins and other compounds that mirror those found in humans or animals with similar nutritional and functional profile.
“While our initial focus is cosmetics, there are health benefits that human lactoferrin can deliver across other areas, including food and supplements, opening up a range of opportunities to support health and wellbeing,” she said.
The start-up’s focus is on human lactoferrin, which offers diverse health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, microbiome and immune support, and iron-binding functionality.
As it moves to scale up production, Eclipse is working with CSIRO, AgFunder and Australia's Food and Beverage Accelerator. The company was incubated within CSIRO in collaboration with Coster to commercialise the breakthrough technology.
CSIRO research lead, Dr Crispin Howitt, said Eclipse Ingredients was an example of how Australia is helping to meet the world’s growing needs.
“We’re delivering trusted science, as well as helping to demonstrate new potential technology-led industries for Australia.
“Australia is a leading producer in trusted, sustainable and high-quality ingredients, and can build on this reputation to open new high-value market opportunities using advances in precision fermentation,” Howitt said.
Eclipse Ingredients joins a growing field of Australian companies using precision fermentation to advance our food system to one that is more sustainable, equitable, nutritious and profitable, including:
Cauldron: Cauldron named global Technology Pioneer
Nourish Ingredients: Nourish Ingredients achieves commercial production for Tastilux
All G: FaBA, All G partner on precision fermentation tech
Eden Brew: Eden Brew achieves $25m series A raise
