Opera Bioscience

Opera Bioscience is a biotechnology startup that has developed a proprietary bacterial protein secretion platform designed to make the manufacturing of recombinant proteins and growth factors more efficient, scalable, and cost-effective. By utilizing the type III secretion system of Salmonella enterica typhimurium, the platform enables the transport of proteins from the cytoplasm to the extracellular space in a single step. This approach simplifies the production process by eliminating the need for cell lysis and complex downstream purification steps, resulting in high-purity proteins. The technology is capable of producing soluble, active enzymes, antibody fragments, and antimicrobial peptides, positioning it for use across various applications including therapeutics, regenerative medicine, and the cultivated meat industry.

For customers and partners, Opera Bioscience addresses the high cost and complexity associated with traditional recombinant protein manufacturing. By offering a platform that reduces recovery costs and enables continuous manufacturing, the company aims to broaden access to essential biological materials for research, clinical applications, and sustainable consumer goods. Founded in 2021 and based in Evanston, Illinois, the company has received support from the National Science Foundation through multiple SBIR awards to optimize its strain development and scale its manufacturing processes. Opera continues to work on commercializing its platform, focusing on meeting industry demands for high-quality, affordable proteins and growth factors.