bitBiome and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. sign joint research agreement on novel enzyme discovery

December 21, 2023 | Press Releases

bitBiome, Inc. JAPAN (Head office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Yuji Suzuki; hereinafter “bitBiome”) and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Executive Officer: Taro Fujie) have signed a collaborative research agreement on the discovery of novel enzymes using bitBiome’s microbial genome database and enzyme discovery platform technology.

bitBiome has analyzed 1.3 billion genes with its proprietary single-cell microbial genome analysis technology, bit-MAP®, and has built its own proprietary database, bit-GEM. bitBiome has also commercialized an enzyme discovery and engineering platform, bit-QED, which utilizes 3D protein structure prediction data from sequences in bit-GEM and automated robotic high throughput screening facilities. bitBiome utilizes these technologies to search for and engineer enzymes essential to the biomanufacturing industry, in a timely and cost-efficient manner that was previously unobtainable.

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. is focusing on its resources on four growth areas of “Healthcare”, “Food & Wellness”, “ICT”, and “Green”, under the purpose of “Contributing to the well-being of all human beings, our society, and our planet with “AminoScience”. Ajinomoto Co., Inc. is promoting its research and development to further contribute to solving health issues by utilizing the knowledge and technology cultivated through more than 100 years of amino acid research.

Under this joint research agreement, bitBiome will conduct a comprehensive search for and screen new enzymes from bit-GEM, and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. will evaluate and verify the usefulness of the enzymes. “We are thrilled to announce this joint research agreement with Ajinomoto Co., Inc. “This represents a significant opportunity for us to demonstrate the value of our proprietary microbial gene database and showcase our ability to identify enzymes of interest for our customers. We are keenly aware of the global need for food security and health issues. We are proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the food and agriculture industry. The partnership with Ajinomoto Co., Inc. is a robust step forward in our commitment to these vital concerns. We look forward to working with Ajinomoto Co., Inc. on providing sustainable, high quality, products that meet the demands of today’s economy and climate “, said Soichiro Tsuda Chief Technology Officer of bitBiome.

■About bitBiome, Inc.

bitBiome is a biotechnology company unlocking the full potential of our planet’s microbes to power the future of the bioeconomy. bitBiome’s platform is built on their proprietary single-cell microbial genome analysis technology, bit-MAP ®, which has enabled the creation of bit-GEM: an extensive and groundbreakingly diverse microbial database of over 1.3 billion sequences, sourced primarily from environmental samples and containing sequences not present in public databases. Leveraging their expertise in bioinformatics, cheminformatics, and machine learning, the company also offers a comprehensive enzyme discovery and engineering platform, bit-QED, which encompasses the identification, assessment, and modification of enzymes through wet lab evaluation and directed evolution. bitBiome is committed to improving existing biomanufacturing industries and creating new ones by delivering sequences and enzymes that cannot be found anywhere else. To learn more about bitBiome’s platform and services, visit bitbiome.bio.

Contact: info@bitbiome.bio