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.

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.  

More info

Share this article

Related posts:

• $2.9 million R&D Grant for Algae
• A patented a process to extract biofuel from sewage
• Integrated Process of Algae Cultivation and Production of Diesel Fuel from Biorenewable Feedstocks
• Comparison of compact photobioreactors for large-scale monoculture of microalgae
• $500 per gal Omega 3 vs $3 per gal fuel – Algae for food or fuel?
• Symbiotic Microalgae and Fish Production Method in Ponds
• Beckon Industries Achieves a New Milestone in Microalgae Production
• Production of Polyunsaturated Acids (DHA) by Using Microalgae
• Algae Biodiesel Production Process Uses Catalytically Active Particles for Convertions
• Are we in the right track ? Is fermentation the way to go?