Synthetic biology and bio-based materials

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Fran Antequera, Deeptech Expert

What is going on?

In the ever-evolving landscape of science and technology, two fields stand out as pioneers of innovation: biomaterials and synthetic biology (SynBio). Biomaterials, initially designed to replace or repair biological tissues, have expanded their applications beyond medicine and are now utilized in various sectors, including energy, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and agriculture. ¹²

What does it mean?

Although it might sound like science fiction, the study of biomaterials with medical applications has gained significant attention. These materials are extensively researched to replace damaged tissues or organs and restore biological functions. Tissue engineering and bioprinting are increasingly common methods for creating products such as collagen, vascular vessels, or prostheses, including tracheal prostheses³.

The integration of SynBio with biomaterials extends far beyond this. Exciting innovations have been developed, including the production of bioelectricity using microbial fuel cells (MFC)⁴, the creation of bioplastics that contribute to the circular bioeconomy by generating value from waste products such as industrial oil⁵or invasive algae⁶, and the development of new building materials like bio-cement to reduce the carbon footprint⁷.

Why does it matter?

• 💸For markets:

The biomaterials market has experienced substantial growth, with a valuation of USD 120 billion in 2021 and a projected value exceeding USD 390.09 billion by 2030, representing a remarkable CAGR growth of 13.7% during the forecast period (2023-2030)⁸. The primary beneficiaries are healthcare advancements, but there's also a growing focus on sustainability, aligning with market demands for eco-friendly alternatives. The "third wave of biomaterials" has opened up vast market opportunities, addressing "Drops-in," which are products that can be added to processes to reduce highly contaminant products (like petrochemicals) without changing surrounding operations, "Bioreplacement" products with similar technical performance and cost but with a positive environmental impact⁹, and "Bio-better" solutions that offer new combinations to enhance performance, such as biotech-derived optical films¹⁰.

According to AgFunder Network Partners¹¹, the top 5 deals closes in bioenergy and biomaterials in 2022 are: 

1. Lanzatech ($500M, USA), a company that uses carbon recycling technology to convert organic waste into fuels. 

2. Andion Global ($211M, Canada), a wastewater treatment company and biogas producer.

3. Lygos ($160M, USA), a biotech company converting cheap and renewable feedstock to high-value, industrial chemicals.

4. Enerkem ($155M, Canada). A cleantech company transforming solid waste and feedstock into industrial chemicals and biofuels.       

5. Bluepha ($125M, China). A biotech company using fermentation and genetic engineering to produce bio-based chemicals.
   

• 🧑🏿‍🤝‍🧑🏻For society:

Biomaterials are shaping a healthier and more sustainable future. They improve patients' quality of life by advancing regenerative medicine and biocompatibility, ensuring safe interactions with biological systems during medical procedures or implantations¹². Additionally, they reduce dependence on non-renewable resources and minimize the environmental impact of medical and industrial applications¹³.

• 🔮What’s next?

Biomaterials are at the forefront of transformative change, promising innovation, sustainability, and solutions to complex challenges. A glimpse into the future reveals:

• Biomedical innovations in regenerative medicine, organ transplantation, and wound healing that will shape the future of healthcare [3][8].

• The emergence of green biomaterials, reducing the environmental footprint in various industries, from packaging to construction [7].

• Advancements in nanomedicine and smart biomaterials that enable real-time monitoring and responses within the body ¹⁴, as well as more advanced drug delivery systems with high precision to minimize side effects ¹⁵.

With their ever-expanding applications and contributions to both human well-being and the environment, biomaterials are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future, holding indispensable significance in tomorrow's world.

1. Liu, A. P., Appel, E. A., Ashby, P. D., Baker, B. M., Franco, E., Gu, L., ... & Chaudhuri, O. (2022). The living interface between synthetic biology and biomaterial design. Nature materials, 21(4), 390-397.

2. Le Feuvre, R. A., & Scrutton, N. S. (2018). A living foundry for synthetic biological materials: a synthetic biology roadmap to new advanced materials. Synthetic and Systems Biotechnology, 3(2), 105-112.

3. Wang, H. (2023). Biomaterials in Medical Applications. Polymers, 15(4), 847.

4. Rahimnejad, M., Adhami, A., Darvari, S., Zirepour, A., & Oh, S. E. (2015). Microbial fuel cell as new technology for bioelectricity generation: A review. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 54(3), 745-756.

5. Delgado, M., Felix, M., & Bengoechea, C. (2018). Development of bioplastic materials: From rapeseed oil industry by products to added-value biodegradable biocomposite materials. Industrial Crops and Products, 125, 401-407.

6. Santana, I., Félix, M., Guerrero, A., & Bengoechea, C. (2022). Processing and characterization of bioplastics from the invasive seaweed rugulopteryx okamurae. Polymers, 14(2), 355.

7. Dorfan, Y., Morris, Y., Shohat, B., & Kolodkin-Gal, I. (2023). Sustainable construction: Toward growing biocement with synthetic biology. Research Directions: Biotechnology Design, 1, e14.

8. Report Insights (2022). Biomaterials Market.  Website: https://www.reportsinsights.com/industry-forecast/global-biomaterials-market-statistical-analysis-673832

9. Coons, R. (2023). Brands Accelerate Push for Biosurfactants. Industrial Biotechnology, 19(1), 3-4.

10. McKinsey & Company. (2021). The third wave of biomaterials: When innovation meets demand. Website: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/chemicals/our-insights/the-third-wave-of-biomaterials-when-innovation-meets-demand

11. Mckinsey & Company. (2021). The third wave of biomaterials: When innovation meets demand. Website: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/chemicals/our-insights/the-third-wave-of-biomaterials-when-innovation-meets-demand

12. Marin, E., Boschetto, F., & Pezzotti, G. (2020). Biomaterials and biocompatibility: An historical overview. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 108(8), 1617-1633.

13. Biswal, T., BadJena, S. K., & Pradhan, D. (2020). Sustainable biomaterials and their applications: A short review. Materials Today: Proceedings, 30, 274-282.

14. AgFunder Network Partners (2023). Website: https://agfundernews.com/funding-to-biomaterials-startups-bucks-global-decline-increasing-14-to-2-2bn-as-industry-looks-for-non-synthetic-alternatives 

15. Kowalski, P. S., Bhattacharya, C., Afewerki, S., & Langer, R. (2018). Smart biomaterials: recent advances and future directions. ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, 4(11), 3809-3817. // Fenton, O. S., Olafson, K. N., Pillai, P. S., Mitchell, M. J., & Langer, R. (2018). Advances in biomaterials for drug delivery. Advanced Materials, 30(29), 1705328.

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