Applied Biotechnology Institute

The Applied Biotechnology Institute (ABI) is a biotechnology research company that has developed a proprietary protein production platform utilizing maize grain. This technology enables the cost-effective production of recombinant proteins that are often difficult to express in traditional animal or microbial cell systems. By leveraging the natural properties of maize, the institute produces animal-free proteins, including industrial enzymes, subunit vaccine candidates, and high-intensity sweeteners, while allowing for complex post-translational processing. The platform is designed to support various applications, such as direct oral administration of therapeutics and feed enzymes, offering benefits such as low unit production costs and high heat stability for product transportation.

These capabilities are applied across human health, animal health, and industrial protein sectors. The institute develops oral vaccine candidates for diseases including Hepatitis B, Lyme disease, COVID-19, and Valley Fever, aiming to provide convenient, non-injected alternatives or complements to existing immunization methods. Beyond vaccines, ABI works on products like the high-intensity sweetener brazzein and recombinant bovine aprotinin for research and industrial use. The company engages in research and development collaborations, frequently publishing findings in scientific literature, and has been supported by federal research funding, such as SBIR grants, to advance its vaccine technologies.