Evonik Develops Fermentation-Based Platform for Animal-Free Collagen

German specialty chemicals company Evonik has developed an advanced collagen platform that is made via fermentation-based processes and devoid of animal- or human-derived materials. The recombinant technology will, for the first time, provide pharmaceutical, medical, cell culture and tissue engineering markets with a highly soluble, ultra-pure form of collagen that is safe, sustainable and commercially scalable, said the company.

“Biotechnology is an important lever for growth and innovation within Evonik Nutrition & Care that leverages our core competencies across fermentation, biomaterials and product industrialization,“ said Johann-Caspar Gammelin, chairman of the management board of Evonik Nutrition & Care.

According to Evonik, their proprietary collagen platform features a triple helix structure and other biological properties that mimic many of the attributes of natural collagen so that it can reliably interact with cells and tissues and be readily absorbed or remodeled by the body.

Animal-sourced collagen, currently the main source of collagen for use in life sciences, can be associated with batch-to-batch variability, potential transmission of diseases or pathogens, adverse immunogenic or allergic reactions, and non-sustainable sourcing methods.

The new collagen platform will be used by Evonik’s Tissue Engineering Project House to develop advanced biomaterial solutions in regenerative medicine.