Ai-powered natural protein discovery for functional beverages

Technology
In development
Company

An AI platform for accelerating the discovery of natural proteins and peptides for functional beverage applications. Using a large sequence database, it identifies candidates for targeted health and sensory functions, compressing ingredient innovation timelines from years to months. Designed to support formulation integration and optimization for properties such as pH stability and mouthfeel.

Overview

An AI platform for discovering natural proteins and peptides tailored for functional beverage applications. By leveraging a large database of 61 million protein sequences, with plans to expand to over 30 million peptides, the platform compresses traditional discovery timelines from years to mere months. The technology supports development of healthier, nature-identical ingredients intended to integrate into existing beverage formulations while targeting improved health benefits compared to synthetic alternatives.

Technical specifications
  • AI-driven discovery: Uses advanced algorithms to identify proteins with specific health benefits, such as GLP-1 agonist proteins for weight management and texturizing proteins for enhanced mouthfeel.
  • Large protein database: Access to 61 million protein sequences and an expanding peptide library.
  • Functional targets: Works to identify and optimize proteins for formulation requirements, including pH stability and sensory compatibility.
  • Rapid development cycles: Accelerates ingredient innovation from 5–15 years to a few months.
Technology readiness level

Currently at TRL 5, with collaborative validation activities that include screening, optimization, and pilot testing phases. Plans are in place for scaling production, regulatory submissions, and commercial launch within 18 months.


About Shiru Inc.

Shiru (founded in 2019) is a tech-biology company pioneering AI-powered discovery of food ingredients. It’s backed by top VCs and has partnerships with global ingredient suppliers like CP Kelco and Puratos (www.proteinreport.org). The company’s mission is to create a library of high-performance, nature-derived ingredients to make food more sustainable.

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