Novozymes Boosts Microbiome with Biota Buy
Novozymes has acquired Biota’s microbiome R&D team and data science platform for an undisclosed sum. The move builds on two previous deals in the microbiome field this past year, notably of US-based Microbiome Labs and Ireland’s PrecisionBiotics.
“This acquisition fits well with our strategy, Better Business with Biology. Building on acquisitions we made last year within human health, we’re strengthening our expertise and capabilities within microbiomes, ensuring we extract as much value from these acquisitions as possible,” said Novozymes’ president and CEO Ester Baiget.
“Understanding micro-organisms and their role in shaping human, animal and plant health represents tremendous innovation opportunities for Novozymes,” added Claus Crone Fuglsang, Novozymes’ executive vice president and chief scientific officer.
Biota describes itself as a “pioneer of genomics for industrial markets.” Based in San Diego, California, USA, Biota said that by applying earth’s microbes as ubiquitous sensors, tracking devices or data libraries, it can improve the economics and greenhouse gas emissions of industrial processes in several large markets, such as energy, water and manufacturing.
Novozymes said that as well as advancing its ability to discover new beneficial microbes, the assets will also help prove the application performance of those microbes, for example through clinical trials where Biota’s expertise, data pipelines and artificial intelligence will accelerate and de-risk timelines.
Biota will retain a commercial license to apply the data science platform for genomic diagnostics.
Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
