bitBiome Secures Second Close of Global Seed Extension Funding
January 27、2025 – Tokyo – bitBiome, Inc. (CEO: Yuji Suzuki, hereinafter referred to as “bitBiome”), a TechBio company utilizing the world’s largest microbial genome database, today announced the second close of the Global Seed Extension, raising a total of 400 million Japanese Yen (2.5 million USD) in a third-party allotment increase with Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd., IT Farm Corporation, KIRIN HEALTH INNOVATION FUND (KIRIN-GB Fund I L.P., operated by Global Brain Corporation), and Niterra SUISO no MORI Fund (SUISO no MORI Fund L.P., operated by Global Brain Corporation) as underwriters. This brings their total fundraising (including equity and grants) to 3.5 billion JPY or 22.2 million USD.
“We have long been interested in bitBiome’s excellent microbial genomic database and research support based on their advanced technology platforms, and are very pleased to have this opportunity to invest in their growth and development. The Kirin Group is promoting its health science business by leveraging their fermentation and biotechnology expertise that they have cultivated over the years, and is working to solve health issues through its business. Kirin’s “fermentation and biotechnology” technology is closely matched to bitBiome’s core platforms, utilizing yeast, bacteria, and other microorganisms to further develop the bioeconomy, and we look forward to creating new value in the health science field through collaboration with bitBiome,” said Ms. Junko Nishimae, General Manager, Health Science Business Department, Health Science Business Division, Kirin Holdings Company, Limited, KIRIN HEALTH INNOVATION FUND (KIRIN-GB Fund I L.P., operated by Global Brain Corporation),
Progress Since the Last Funding Round
Since the first close of the Global Seed Extension in August 2023, bitBiome has made a number of advancements in company growth and development.
Strengthening of the Team Structure:
In November 2023, bitBiome established a corporation in the United States and expanded their team in the US and UK with industry-experienced professionals, further accelerating their global business development.
bitBiome also has established a fermentation production team and strengthened their R&D department in Japan. James Winkler, Ph.D., formerly of LanzaTech, has been appointed as Director, progressing R&D capabilities from pilot scale internal fermentation to large scale capabilities.
Furthermore, John Nicols, who served as CEO of Codexis, a NASDAQ-listed company, for 10 years and led the development and launch of many products, and Dr. Yasuhisa Asano, a renowned enzyme chemist and Professor Emeritus at Toyama Prefectural University, have joined as new advisors to support both their business and research and development efforts.
Mr. Yusuke Narumi, Director, Executive Officer, Division Manager, New Business Development Division, Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd. has said, “We are confident that bitBiome’s advanced biotechnology and data analysis capabilities will bring new value. In particular, the development of new chemical reaction pathways utilizing biomass-derived raw materials will be a major step toward the realization of a sustainable society. We look forward to supporting bitBiome’s growth and building a future together.”
Expansion of Achievements and Strengthening Collaboration in the Field of Bio-Manufacturing:
bitBiome has signed joint development projects with Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd., Ajinomoto Co., Inc., and Bluestem Biosciences, Inc. Since the last fundraise, they have conducted over 200 projects with domestic and international companies and research institutions.
In addition, they have increased community outreach within the industry and held two events called “Sips and Synbio, A Bio-Manufacturing Night” to share international insights with Japanese industry stakeholders. John Nicols spoke at the first event, and Patrick Finn, COO of Twist Biosciences, Inc., was a guest at the second event. bitBiome will continue these initiatives to contribute to the development of the industry.
Dr. Kenta Kitsuka, General Partner, Investment Group, Global Brain Corporation said, “Synthetic biology is a technology that has the potential to fundamentally change traditional manufacturing. bitBiome efficiently and appropriately collects useful genes from microbial communities, which are like treasure troves in synthetic biology. They have built the world’s largest genetic database with over 2 billion genes derived from unique microbes collected across Japan, which is a major strength. bitBiome’s database is widely applicable across various industries and provides starting points for the development of smart cells and enzymes needed for bio-manufacturing. We are looking forward to contributing to the further growth of the company.”
Product Development and Platform Strengthening:
In collaboration with Twist Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWST), bitBiome launched a transaminase enzyme screening kit in August 2024. This kit, developed using Twist’s high-throughput synthesis technology and bitBiome’s unique microbial sequence database (bit-GEM), offers a diverse and innovative enzyme kit. These enzymes provide a viable alternative to traditional chemical synthesis processes and are used in the manufacture of small molecule pharmaceuticals and other key compounds. Both companies are committed to delivering new and innovative solutions to the industry.
Mr. Shinya Kasuga, General Partner, IT-Farm Corporation IT-Farm has said, “IT-Farm, over 25+ years with 9 VC funds, has been globally investing in disruptive tech startups across the world, supporting portfolios’ cross-border tech biz dev. bitBiome, the winner of XTC JAPAN 2023 pitch competition hosted by IT-Farm, demonstrated an exceptional scalability and upside potential through its world’s largest proprietary genome database deriving from the patented single-cell genome analysis technology. We are confident that our investment in bitBiome contributes to the discovery of unprecedented enzymes for global customers, leveraging aritificial intelligence on top of the truly unique genome database.”
Academic Contributions and Outreach:
bitBiome has published a total of 7 papers related to their single-cell microbial genome analysis technology bit-MAP®, enzyme exploration and modification platform technology bit-QED, and the world’s largest microbial gene database bit-GEM.
In collaboration with Professor Hal Alper of the University of Texas at Austin, bitBiome has initiated a joint research project on the discovery of new plastic-degrading enzymes. In September 2024, they participated in an international symposium titled “Pioneering the Future of Plastic Recycling: Enzymes and Microorganisms for a Circular Society” at the Bioengineering Conference, which included Professor Alper.
bitBiome has established a doctoral degree support program, and users of this program obtained their PhD from Waseda University in September 2024, contributing to the development of highly specialized professionals. In addition, bitBiome has participated in a number of industry events to include presenting at SynBioBeta, participating in panel discussions at the iGEM Grand Jamboree, and appearing on the “Grow Everything” Biotech Podcast.
Ms. Hiromi Kitagawa, Corporate Officer, General Manager Sustainability Strategy, Global Strategy Div. Niterra Co., Ltd., Niterra SUISO no MORI Fund (SUISO no MORI Fund L.P., operated by Global Brain Corporation) has said,
“bitBiome possesses extremely high technical capabilities in genetic analysis, which is essential for bio-manufacturing. We expect that these technologies will advance approaches in areas such as liquid fuel production, a key focus of our “SUISO no MORI” (Hydrogen Forest) Project aimed at realizing a hydrogen and carbon-circular society. We will support bitBiome’s technological development and work to solve social issues while exploring various possibilities, including collaboration.”
Use of Funds:
The new funds raised will be allocated to strengthening bitBiome’s platform, business development, and expanding product development. Details will be disclosed after the completion of this year’s Seed Extension Round.
Name Change of the Round:
As global expansion is a key strategy for our company, we have changed the names of our funding rounds to align with global practices as follows:
| Funding Round Name | |
| (Before Change) | (After Change) |
| Founding: Series A | Founding: Pre-Seed |
| 2020: Series B | 2020: Seed |
| 2023 to as of today: Series B2 1st Close | 2023 to as of today: Seed Extension |
About bitBiome
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 2.2 billion sequences, sourced primarily from environmental samples and containing sequences not present in public databases. Leveraging their expertise in bioinformatics 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 www.bitbiome.bio.
Inquiries: info@bitbiome.bio