Fermentation-derived acyl amino acid biosurfactants with antimicrobial properties
Engineered microbial strains convert sugar into acyl amino acid biosurfactants that function as both surfactants and germ-killing agents at low concentrations. Modular Genetics combines automated bioengineering, scalable fermentation, and downstream processing to discover, produce, and commercialize these specialty biochemicals as sustainable alternatives to conventional surfactants.
Overview
Modular Genetics has developed engineered microbial strains that convert sugar into acyl amino acid biosurfactants through fermentation. These molecules serve a dual function: they act as surfactants in formulations and kill germs at low concentrations, offering a single ingredient that can replace conventional surfactants and antimicrobial agents. The company's first molecule in this class, AminoSurf-E, is already in commercial sales, demonstrating that the platform can move from discovery through scale-up to market launch.
The technology addresses demand from personal care and other formulation-driven industries for sustainable, high-performance ingredients. Acyl amino acid surfactants are positioned as environmentally friendly alternatives to cocoyl glutamate and other surfactants traditionally derived from fossil fuels or palm oil, while the inherent antimicrobial activity adds functional value beyond standard surfactant performance.
Technical specifications
Platform capabilities:
- Synthetic biology platform uses automated gene engineering to design proteins, genes, and microorganisms that produce target molecules from renewable feedstocks such as sugar
- Fermentation process converts renewable raw materials into acyl amino acid biosurfactants using engineered microorganisms
- Dual-function molecules deliver both surfactant performance and antimicrobial activity at low concentrations, reducing the need for separate preservative or biocidal additives in formulations
- Flexible downstream processing supports purification and recovery of target molecules at lab, demo, and pilot scales
- Composition-of-matter and process patents protect both the engineered organisms and the manufacturing methods
- Multi-product manufacturing allows a single facility to produce multiple biochemical products from the same renewable inputs, supporting a continuous product pipeline
Anticipated development workflow for new molecules:
- Generate a library of new candidate molecules
- Test candidates against appropriate antimicrobial and surfactant performance targets
- Identify a molecule with the desired functional and commercial characteristics
- Demonstrate cost-effective production and purification at lab, demo, and pilot scale
- Secure regulatory approvals needed to support specific label claims
- Manufacture and sell the product
Technology readiness level
The core technology has reached commercial readiness. The first acyl amino acid biosurfactant from this class, AminoSurf-E, has moved beyond pilot validation into commercial sales. The underlying bioengineering platform is established and supported by issued patents covering both compositions and processes. Future pipeline molecules will progress through library generation, target testing, scale-up validation at three successive scales, regulatory approval, and commercial launch, leveraging the existing discovery-to-market infrastructure already proven with the first commercial product.
About Modular Genetics, Inc.
Modular Genetics, Inc. is a growth-stage biotechnology company that utilizes advanced synthetic biology and automated gene engineering to produce specialty biochemicals. Founded in 2000, the company specializes in designing engineered microorganisms capable of converting renewable raw materials, such as sugar, into high-value chemical products through microbial fermentation. Their proprietary bio-engineering platform, supported by various composition-of-matter and process patents, enables the development of cost-competitive and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional chemicals. By automating the design and development of genes, proteins, and microorganisms, Modular aims to accelerate product development cycles and maintain an ongoing pipeline of biochemical innovations.
The company's work provides significant value to partners and industrial sectors, including personal care, by offering sustainable, drop-in replacements for traditional ingredients derived from fossil fuels or palm oil. A primary focus is the commercialization of AminoSurf-E, an acyl amino acid surfactant designed to serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to cocoyl glutamate. By integrating bioinformatics with proprietary flexible fermentation and downstream processing techniques, Modular provides solutions that address both performance and sustainability requirements. The company's technology is designed to enable a single manufacturing facility to produce multiple biochemical products from the same renewable inputs, supporting a strategy of continuous commercial product development.
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