NIH awards Cellibre $2M to advance sustainable cannabinoid ingredient production
This groundbreaking phase 2 grant will accelerate the commercialization of cannabinoid ingredient production via precision fermentation, focusing on cost-effective active pharmaceutical ingredients for conditions like appetite suppression, obesity, inflammation, and diabetes.
Founded in 2019 by biomanufacturing innovators, Cellibre aims to create a sustainable manufacturing company leveraging biological processes as production catalysts. CEO Ben Chiarelli explained, “Every cell on Earth functions like a tiny factory, capable of being engineered as a new way to produce chemicals and ingredients in a better, cheaper, and more sustainable way."
Chiarelli then emphasized that Cellibre harnesses nature by moving cellular assembly lines into microorganisms like yeast to create proprietary molecular factories, thus reducing the need to disrupt ecosystems.
NIH grant for sustainable cannabinoid production
The grant will support the production of non-euphoric cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabigerol (CBG). THCV shows promise for appetite suppression and obesity management, while CBG is studied for antibacterial properties and potential treatments for cancer and inflammatory diseases. Cellibre’s technology reduces cannabinoid production costs by over ten-fold compared to traditional methods and significantly lowers the environmental impact associated with growing plants for cannabinoid production.
Cellibre’s chief technology officer, Dr Spiros Kambourakis, said: “Cannabinoids have significant therapeutic benefits, but manufacturing these ingredients through legacy agriculture is riddled with challenges. Our precision fermentation platform solves these problems by using biology to produce high-quality, lower-cost, more sustainable cultured cannabinoids – in essence deploying nature to combat climate change, improve supply chain resilience, and improve human wellness.”
Precision fermentation: The future of cost-effective pharmaceutical ingredients
Cellibre’s precision fermentation 'cell factory platform' reduces the greenhouse gas footprint and ensures a consistent, scalable supply of pharmaceutical-grade ingredients. This platform also includes key bioactives for clean beauty and wellness, such as resveratrol, naringenin, and bakuchiol.
Kambourakis said: “Biology is the future of manufacturing. By moving production from fields to fermentation, we can create products faster, at lower costs, and with higher quality, all while protecting our natural ecosystems.”
Innovative bio-manufacturing reduces environmental impact and production costs
With the global cannabinoid isolate market projected to surpass $34 billion by 2030 and over 400 active clinical trials in progress, Cellibre’s technologies are crucial for ensuring patient safety and access.
Cellibre is revolutionizing the sourcing, production, and consumption of pharmaceutical-grade natural products and bioactives. The company, headquartered in San Diego, California, employs an organism-agnostic approach to transform cells into specialized, sustainable factories for large-scale production.
