What 21st.BIO does

21st.BIO is a Danish precision fermentation technology and contract development company founded in 2020 and headquartered in Søborg, Denmark, with a US commercial office in Davis, California. The company operates a B2B platform that helps startups, ingredient suppliers, and large food/agriculture manufacturers bridge the 'valley of death' between lab-scale molecular innovation and industrial-scale protein production. Its stated customers include precision fermentation developers of dairy proteins, biomaterials, agricultural biocontrols, sweeteners, collagen, and biomining reagents.

The technology platform rests on three pillars: (1) microbial production strains licensed from Novozymes (now Novonesis) that have been genome-optimized over more than 40 years and are already used in food-grade products on the market today; (2) optimized fermentation processes; and (3) downstream recovery and purification (DSP) workflows built for scalability. 21st.BIO inherited the team of microbiologists and bioengineers who developed the strains at Novozymes, giving the company unusual institutional process knowledge. In May 2024 it opened a 3,060L pilot plant at its Copenhagen headquarters, designed as a 'mini factory' to de-risk customers' tech transfer to contract manufacturers. Named technical milestones include the world's first extracellular expression of spider silk proteins (with AMSilk) and customer market entry for beta-lactoglobulin in under two years from start of strain engineering.

21st.BIO earns revenue through three channels: (a) shared-cost Development Programs for nature-identical molecules such as BLG Essential+, alpha-lactalbumin, caseins, and protein sweeteners, where multiple participants pay upfront development fees and receive ongoing licensing access to continuously optimized strains and processes; (b) bespoke Custom Development Projects for proprietary customer proteins, priced per project milestones; and (c) quote-based Pilot Plant Services offering fermentation runs up to 1,200L, DSP equipment rental, and CMO tech-transfer support. The business model is explicitly backloaded to follow customers' commercial journey, aligning 21st.BIO's monetization with downstream product success. EUR 86 million in funding from Novo Holdings (December 2021) is allocated to capacity expansion and construction of the company's first manufacturing site.

Name

21st.BIO

Legal name

21st.BIO

Website

https://21st.bio

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

21st.BIO is a Danish precision fermentation technology company that licenses 40+ year-old microbial strains from Novonesis to deliver industrial-scale bioproduction services for dairy proteins, biomaterials, agricultural biocontrols, sweeteners, and other recombinant proteins.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Biotechnology / Precision Fermentation Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Bioprocess Development & Scale-Up/Scale-Down Platforms (DoE, high-throughput, modeling) (HLAAAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fermentation-Derived Proteins (Precision Fermentation, Biomass Fermentation) (AFAJAHAH), Specialty & Novel Proteins (Single-Cell Protein, Cell-Cultured/Animal-Free Proteins) (AFAJAHAL), Process Development & Tech Transfer Services (upstream/downstream) (HLAAAKAF)

Keywords

• Precision fermentation services
• Industrial biotechnology
• Microbial strain engineering
• Recombinant protein production
• Fermentation scale-up

Headquarters

HQ city

Virum

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Development Programs (Nature-Identical Molecules): 21st.BIO selects a few natural proteins (e.g., beta-lactoglobulin, caseins) to be offered through development programs. Several companies share development costs, gaining access to continuously optimized technology and a license to use the strains and processes. This shared-cost model significantly de-risks investment into precision fermentation production. Participants pay an upfront development fee and receive ongoing access to technology optimization.
2. Custom/Bespoke Development Projects: Individually designed projects to optimize a customer's proprietary recombinant protein. Dedicated project to a single customer encompassing activities including strain optimization, production process design, DSP development, and technology upscaling. Priced as a custom engagement; revenue recognized upon project milestones.
3. Pilot Plant Services: 21st.BIO offers bioproduction upscaling services at its Copenhagen pilot facility, including fermentation runs up to 1,200L and DSP equipment rental. Services are available to customers with their own proprietary strains as well as existing customers in development programs. Pricing is quote-based, tailored to fermenter volumes, process time, material handling, DSP equipment, and special support needs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

21st.BIO provides industrial-scale precision fermentation technology and services for protein and peptide production, combining 40+ year-old microbial production strains licensed from Novozymes/Novonesis with optimized fermentation processes and downstream recovery/purification workflows. Customers engage through shared-cost Development Programs for nature-identical molecules (BLG, alpha-lactalbumin, caseins, sweeteners, collagen, biomaterials, biomining proteins) or through bespoke Custom Development Projects for proprietary proteins, supported by a 3,060L Copenhagen pilot plant for upscaling and tech transfer to contract manufacturers.

Product overview

21st.BIO operates a precision fermentation technology platform that provides end-to-end solutions for industrial-scale protein and peptide production. The platform consists of proprietary production strains licensed from Novonesis (with 40+ years of optimization), optimized fermentation processes, and downstream processing (DSP) workflows. The company offers two engagement models: shared-cost Development Programs for nature-identical molecules (including BLG Essential+™, Alpha-Lactalbumin, Caseins, and Protein Sweeteners), and bespoke Custom Development Projects for exclusive protein assets. The flagship product BLG Essential+™ is a next-generation beta-lactoglobulin with self-affirmed GRAS status, while the pilot plant in Copenhagen (with 3060L capacity) supports upscaling and tech transfer services. The platform serves diverse industries including dairy proteins, biomaterials (spider silk via AMSilk partnership), agriculture (biopesticides), collagen, sweeteners, and biomining.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BLG Essential+™: A high-leucine, animal-free beta-lactoglobulin produced through precision fermentation, designed for food applications including healthy aging and GLP-1 nutrition.

Products and services

• BLG Essential+™ High-purity, precision-fermented bovine beta-lactoglobulin with self-affirmed GRAS status and 45% more leucine than commercial whey protein isolates. Tasteless, stable across a wide pH range, heat-tolerant, free from lactose, cholesterol, hormones, and antibiotics. Used by food and beverage manufacturers in clear protein drinks, alternative dairy, bakery, and nutrition applications including healthy aging and GLP-1 nutrition.
• Alpha-Lactalbumin Precision Fermentation Program Shared-cost development program for bovine alpha-lactalbumin produced via precision fermentation using a Novonesis-sourced microbial strain. Aimed at premium infant formulas, functional foods, and clinical nutrition applications.
• Caseins Development Program Development program for precision-fermented caseins, the milk proteins that make up approximately 80% of cow's milk protein content. Rich in essential amino acids and used for texture and stability in food applications.
• Protein Sweeteners Development Program (Brazzein, Monellin) Development program for nature-identical protein sweeteners produced via precision fermentation, several thousand times sweeter than sucrose. Brazzein has obtained self-GRAS status in the US.
• Vegan Collagen Development Program Development program for animal-free collagen produced through precision fermentation, supporting collagen types I, II, III, V, and X. Targeted at beauty, wellness, and nutrition companies seeking authentic vegan collagen without animal involvement.
• Spider Silk Protein Development Program (AMSilk Partnership) Development program for extracellularly expressed spider silk proteins in partnership with AMSilk, achieving the world's first extracellular expression of spider silk proteins and scaling production for biomedical, cosmetics, textile, and industrial applications.
• Biomining Binding Proteins Development Program Development program for metal-binding proteins and peptides produced via precision fermentation for sustainable extraction of rare earth minerals and metals from ores and e-waste with minimal environmental impact.
• Agricultural Biopesticides Development Program Development program for protein- and peptide-based biopesticides produced via precision fermentation as sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides for crop protection. Includes collaboration with Biotalys on AGROBODY biocontrol products such as EVOCA NG.
• Custom Development Projects Individually designed projects dedicated to a single customer to optimize a proprietary recombinant protein, covering host optimization, production process design, downstream process development, and technology upscaling. Priced as a custom engagement with revenue recognized against project milestones.
• Development Programs Shared-cost development programs in which several participants share development costs for selected nature-identical proteins, gaining access to continuously optimized technology and a license to use the resulting strains and processes. Includes an upfront development fee and ongoing technology optimization.
• Pilot Plant Services Bioproduction upscaling services at 21st.BIO's Copenhagen pilot facility, including fermentation runs up to 1,200L, downstream processing equipment rental, tech transfer support, and CMO selection assistance. Quote-based pricing tailored to fermenter volumes, process time, material handling, DSP equipment, and special support needs; supports both proprietary customer strains and Development Program participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Market entry achieved in under two years from start of strain engineering for beta-lactoglobulin customers
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• BiotalysflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Belgian agricultural technology company Biotalys partnered with 21st.BIO in January 2026 to accelerate production of Biotalys' protein-based AGROBODY biocontrol solutions using 21st.BIO's precision fermentation platform. The collaboration aims to achieve commercially competitive costs for Biotalys' biofungicide EVOCA NG (targeting combined US/EU market of ~USD 1.2 billion). As part of the transition, Biotalys concluded its prior collaboration with Novonesis. EVOCA NG targeted for US registration in 2028-29 and EU in 2029-30.
• Novozymes (now Novonesis)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 202021st.BIO licensed technology from Novozymes (now known as Novonesis) to develop large-scale production of proteins and peptides. The licensed strains have been optimized over 40+ years and are the foundation of 21st.BIO's precision fermentation platform. Novozymes technology underpins 21st.BIO's production strains, fermentation protocols, and industrial biomanufacturing capabilities.
• AMSilkflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman biotech pioneer AMSilk partnered with 21st.BIO for large-scale production of spider silk-based proteins for biomedical, cosmetics, and textile industries. The collaboration achieved the world's first extracellular expression of spider silk proteins and scaled production to unprecedented levels. AMSilk's CEO stated: 'By partnering with 21st.BIO, we are succeeding where so many have struggled, delivering high performance precision fermentation at the right quality and cost parameters, and at a true industrial scale.' The partnership has been covered in Nature Biotechnology.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Novonesis (formerly Novozymes): Global industrial biotechnology leader that originally developed and optimized the strain platform now licensed to 21st.BIO. As both 21st.BIO's licensor and a broader-market operator across enzymes, microbial bioproducts, and human/animal nutrition, Novonesis is the most strategically intertwined peer — overlapping directly in precision fermentation proteins while remaining far larger and more diversified.
• Ginkgo Bioworks: US-listed horizontal synthetic biology platform offering organism engineering, fermentation optimization, and biomanufacturing services across multiple end-markets. Operates at greater scale and broader scope than 21st.BIO, with overlapping capabilities in strain engineering and bioprocess development for industrial customers.
• LanzaTech: US-based carbon recycling company using gas fermentation (Clostridium) to produce ethanol and specialty chemicals. A more mature and broader industrial fermentation player that overlaps with 21st.BIO in industrial biomanufacturing technology and scale-up capabilities, though operating in a different feedstock/output domain.

Direct peers

• Perfect Day: US-based precision fermentation company producing animal-free whey protein (beta-lactoglobulin) via microbial fermentation. Direct competitor in 21st.BIO's flagship BLG segment, targeting the same food, beverage, and nutrition customers with a comparable technology approach and commercial stage.
• The EVERY Company (formerly Clara Foods): Precision fermentation company developing animal-free egg proteins and other functional proteins via microbial fermentation. Comparable business model (B2B ingredient licensing), similar technology platform, and overlapping end-markets in food and beverage applications.
• Imagindairy: Israel-based precision fermentation company producing animal-free dairy proteins including caseins and whey. Direct competitor targeting the same dairy alternative protein opportunity as 21st.BIO's BLG, alpha-lactalbumin, and casein programs.
• Geltor: US-based precision fermentation company producing animal-free collagen and other proteins for beauty, nutrition, and food applications. Direct competitor in 21st.BIO's vegan collagen segment, with similar B2B ingredient licensing model and microbial fermentation technology.
• Motif FoodWorks: US-based food ingredient company applying precision fermentation to develop animal-free proteins and fats for plant-based and alternative protein products. Comparable business model targeting food and beverage customers with fermentation-derived ingredients, including dairy and functional proteins.
• Remilk (Better Milk): Israel-based precision fermentation company producing animal-free milk proteins (beta-lactoglobulin, casein) for dairy alternatives. Direct competitor in the same precision-fermented dairy protein category with comparable B2B licensing strategy and target customers.

Emerging players

• Cauldron: Australia-based precision fermentation company developing animal-free dairy and other proteins at industrial scale. Emerging competitor in the same BLG and dairy protein segment, focused on scaling fermentation capacity similar to 21st.BIO's pilot-to-industrial roadmap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/21stbio

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 21st.BIO