What Boston Bioprocess does

Boston Bioprocess is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and bioprocess software company founded in 2022 by Dr. Michael Tai and Ted Netland. The company was established to address the gap between bench-scale fermentation development and commercial-scale manufacturing that founders identified as a structural weakness in the strain-engineering-led biotech ecosystem. It relocated from Boston to Champaign, Illinois in 2023 to embed itself within the University of Illinois Research Park and the iFAB Tech Hub consortium. Its primary customer base consists of growth-stage and commercial biotech companies in precision fermentation, alternative protein, food-tech, and specialty ingredients, including named clients such as Hyfé, Nourish Ingredients, Eden Brew, Libre, Ironic Biotech, AQUA, ZYA, LIVEN, and Ten Lives.

The company's core technology combines a wet-lab CDMO service with a proprietary software platform. The service layer covers aerobic fermentation (batch, fed-batch, and continuous) across yeast, bacterial, and fungal hosts at scales from 1.5L to 1,500L (with third-party access up to 4x25,000L), integrated with full downstream processing (cell harvest, lysis, clarification, TFF, centrifugation, chromatography, spray drying, freeze drying) and analytical lab capabilities. The software layer is a proprietary stack comprising a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), a Manufacturing Execution System (MES), and the Ferm Design Co-Pilot, an AI/ML-driven optimization engine that uses LLMs for automated run interpretation and machine learning models to recommend fermentation and DSP parameter improvements. The facility is BSL-2 certified with methanol handling capability.

Boston Bioprocess generates revenue primarily through project-based professional services (CDMO fermentation scale-up, downstream processing, analytical testing, and tech transfer to contract manufacturing organizations), supplemented by subscription-based software revenue from its LIMS/MES/AI platform. Pricing is custom, with rate sheets by bioreactor scale and DSP workstream, and whole-package proposals for fixed-scope deliverables managed by dedicated Program Managers. The company is venture-backed by Lever VC, Linear Capital, Gener8tor, Siddhi Capital, and FTW Ventures, and is led by a scientist-led team with PhD-level expertise across bioprocess engineering, data science, and machine learning.

Name

Boston Bioprocess

Legal name

Boston Bioprocess

Website

https://bostonbioprocess.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Boston Bioprocess is a fermentation-focused CDMO and bioprocess software company providing scale-up, downstream processing, and an AI-driven LIMS/MES platform for growth-stage precision fermentation, alt-protein, and food-tech biotech clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bioprocess Development and CDMO Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Drug Substance–Drug Product Integrated CDMO (HLAGABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Automation, Controls & Manufacturing Execution for Bioprocessing (SCADA/DCS/PLC/MES) (HLAAAJAE), Biologics (mAbs/Recombinant Proteins) CDMO (HLAGABAC)

Keywords

• Fermentation process development
• Bioprocess scale up services
• Downstream processing services
• Biomanufacturing CDMO services
• LIMS MES software platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Champaign

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. CDMO Fermentation Services: Contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services for fermentation development and scale-up. Clients book assets at various scales (1.5L to 1500L) and pay for fermentation runs, downstream processing, and analytical services. Revenue is project-based with rate sheets for each scale and DSP type, plus whole-package proposals for fixed-scope deliverables and timelines. A dedicated Program Manager handles scheduling, resources, and reporting.
2. Software Platform (LIMS/MES/AI): Sale or subscription of proprietary software for lab execution, data management, and AI-driven process optimization. Software includes LIMS, MES, batch record management, asset scheduling, and the Ferm Design Co-Pilot ML platform. Offered alongside hardware services or as a standalone product.
3. Downstream Processing (DSP) Services: Integrated downstream processing services including cell harvest, lysis, clarification, purification, concentration, TFF, centrifugation, chromatography, spray drying, and freeze drying. Billed as part of the overall project or as standalone DSP services.
4. Analytical Lab Services: In-process metabolites testing, DSP sample stream testing, and final product specs analysis including SDS-PAGE, Western Blots, HPLC, enzyme and protein assays. Also includes third-party certified analytics via partners like Merieux and Eurofins.
5. Tech Transfer and Regulatory Guidance: Tech transfer services to CMO partners, regulatory guidance, and support for GMP requirements. Revenue generated through consulting and project management fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Boston Bioprocess provides contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) services for fermentation processes spanning yeast, bacteria, and fungal host platforms at scales from 1.5L to 1,500L, including downstream processing, analytical testing, and tech transfer to CMOs. Alongside these services, the company sells a proprietary software platform combining a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Manufacturing Execution System (MES), and the Ferm Design Co-Pilot machine learning module for AI-driven bioprocess optimization, batch record management, and asset scheduling.

Product overview

Boston Bioprocess offers a dual product portfolio consisting of (1) a proprietary software platform combining manufacturing execution system, LIMS, and AI-driven process optimization with features for creating process design flows, tracking materials, executing protocols, managing schedules, and analyzing data; and (2) comprehensive CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) services including fermentation development and scale-up, downstream process development, analytical lab services, and tech transfer to CMOs. The software platform integrates AI capabilities through the Ferm Design Co-Pilot to optimize fermentation and DSP parameters. The CDMO services utilize specialized equipment assets including bioreactors from 1.5L to 1500L scale, centrifugation, cell lysis, filtration, chromatography, and drying equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fermentation Development and Scale-Up Services Contract development and manufacturing services for fermentation processes, supporting batch, fed-batch, and continuous aerobic fermentation across yeast, bacteria, and fungal host platforms at scales from 1.5L to 1,500L. Targeted at growth-stage and commercial biotech companies seeking to bridge lab-scale processes to commercial-scale production.
• Downstream Process Development Services Separation and purification services for molecules with challenging stabilization requirements, including cell harvest, lysis, clarification, purification, concentration, tangential flow filtration (TFF), centrifugation, chromatography, spray drying, and freeze drying.
• Analytical Lab Services In-process metabolites testing, DSP sample stream testing, and final product specifications analysis using assets including Roche Cedex Bio Analyzer, HPLC, UV, SDS-PAGE, Western Blot, and enzyme/protein assays. Also includes third-party certified analytics via partners like Merieux and Eurofins.
• Tech Transfer to CMO Services Technical transfer services and regulatory guidance for transitioning processes to contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs), with partnerships with GMP facilities for process graduation and regulatory support.
• Proprietary Software Platform (LIMS/MES/AI) Manufacturing execution system, laboratory information management system, and AI optimizer platform that enables custom process design flows, material tracking, run protocol management, asset scheduling, team utilization, data visualization, and AI-powered fermentation optimization via the Ferm Design Co-Pilot. Offered standalone or alongside CDMO services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hyfé scaled production of mycelium protein powder to 400L pilot bioreactors ahead of schedule with Boston Bioprocess's support
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IBRL (Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory) at University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023IBRL and Boston Bioprocess are co-located in Urbana-Champaign and form a key partnership within the iFAB Tech Hub. BBP oversees early-stage process development and finalizes parameters, while IBRL provides pilot-scale infrastructure for scale-up. Together they offer complementary expertise and an ecosystem of resources to advance biomanufacturing from flask to industrial scale. IBRL has trained over 150 interns from U. of I. programs and has 100+ industry clients.
• CauldroncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Boston Bioprocess and Cauldron partnered to help fermentation-based companies scale from lab to manufacturing. Cauldron's continuous fermentation technology combined with Boston Bioprocess's process development capabilities creates an economically viable path to industrial-scale production. The partnership aims to bridge the valley of death for biotech companies struggling with technology transition from lab to manufacturing, minimizing tech transfer pain and shortening time to market for clients that could benefit from Cauldron's assets and unique technology.
• Batavia BiosciencesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2023Nourish Ingredients (a Boston Bioprocess client) is also working with Batavia Biosciences alongside Boston Bioprocess to ramp up production of animal-free specialty fats. Batavia Biosciences serves as an additional manufacturing and development partner for the client's commercialization journey.
• iFAB (Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Hub)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Boston Bioprocess is part of the iFAB Tech Hub, a newly designated Regional Innovation and Technology Hub bringing together 30 partner organizations (academic, industry, government, and nonprofit) committed to catalyzing bioprocessing and precision fermentation industry growth in Champaign, Piatt, and Macon counties. iFAB supports pilot projects, workforce development, and innovation in Central Illinois. Key members include ADM and the Plumbers & Pipefitters Union (UA 149).
• IngredionminorOthers · 1 January 2023Nourish Ingredients has a partnership with Ingredion (which invested in the company in 2022 along with Main Sequence, Hostplus, and Horizons Ventures in a $28.6M Series A). Boston Bioprocess serves as the process development partner in this ecosystem, helping refine fermentation processes at bench and small pilot scale for Nourish Ingredients.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Synthace: Lab automation and bioprocess software platform enabling experiment design and data management for life science R&D — comparable to Boston Bioprocess's LIMS/MES ambitions and a potential adjacent competitor for its standalone software product.

Emerging players

• Formo: Precision fermentation company producing animal-free dairy proteins — operates in the same end-market as several Boston Bioprocess clients (e.g., Nourish Ingredients, Eden Brew) and represents both pipeline opportunity and competitive threat.
• New Culture: Precision fermentation startup making animal-free casein proteins for dairy applications — an emerging alt-protein player that could either become a Boston Bioprocess client or, at scale, a competitor with in-house bioprocess capability.

Broad incumbents

• Sartorius: Large bioprocess solutions provider offering bioreactors, single-use systems, and process analytics; while not a precision-fermentation CDMO, it is a broad incumbent whose products and services compete for the same bioprocess development budget.
• Cytiva (Danaher): Major bioprocess equipment and services provider within Danaher, supplying bioreactors, purification, and process development tools that compete for the same upstream and downstream budgets as Boston Bioprocess's services.

Direct peers

• Bota Bio: Industrial biotechnology company offering fermentation development and manufacturing services across food, cosmetic, and chemical end-markets — directly comparable CDMO services and host-platform breadth (yeast, bacteria, fungi).
• Culture Biosciences: Cloud-based fermentation CDMO serving synthetic biology and industrial biotech companies with bench- and pilot-scale bioreactor capacity — directly comparable offering and customer base to Boston Bioprocess's fermentation scale-up services.
• Pow.Bio: Precision fermentation CDMO providing continuous fermentation capacity to synthetic biology and alt-protein clients — closely comparable GTM and customer segments to Boston Bioprocess.
• Cauldron: Continuous fermentation technology company that is both a Boston Bioprocess partner and a direct competitor for industrial-biotech scale-up work, addressing the same lab-to-manufacturing gap with a different bioreactor architecture.
• Geltor: Precision fermentation company producing animal-free proteins for beauty and food/beverage, operating its own fermentation infrastructure at scale — comparable in precision fermentation focus and alt-protein end-markets served.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/boston-bioprocess

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors3 records

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Boston Bioprocess