Patented Microalgae Fermentation Process for Omega-3 Fatty Acid Production
Auckland-based Photonz, which won a $2.9 million TechNZ research and development grant for its prototype industrial fermentation plant, is ramping up production of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) omega 3 fatty acid. Currently EPA is sourced from fish oil and Photonz claims its technology offers a more secure supply for the US$60 billion cardiovascular disease market. The company has a patented technology to produce EPA, or eicosapentaenoic acid, from algae and it has raised $6.2 million in start up capital.
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Photonz recently announced a deal with French contract manufacturers to carry out scaled-up production. French company Separex will then extract EPA with liquid carbon dioxide as a solvent and deliver a pharmaceutical-grade product that would be identical to the fish-derived product. With EPA demand set to outstrip supply and the fisheries supply that exists today under threat, the algae sourced EPA will capture the market share at a rapid pace.
