What Aethera Biotech does

Aethera Biotech is an Italian biotechnology company that develops and produces standardized plant-derived active ingredients using proprietary in vitro meristematic cell culture technology. The company's core technology is the CROP® (Controlled Release of Optimized Plants) platform — a multi-patented (8 patents) biotech process that produces highly standardized phytocomplexes independent of climate, soil, or geopolitical constraints, serving as a non-GMO alternative to traditional plant cultivation. Aethera sells a catalog of branded ingredients (including PEPTinGLOW, AQ3Rose, LiftyLOX, DauVes, EchinAge, ForsINgen, MetropolePure, ReSILiEMcare, ROSeout, and SageBalance) plus ECOCERT-certified organic oils, and offers a "Design Your Active" custom co-development service (CROP²Active, CROP²Marker, CROP²Enhanced) for exclusive patentable ingredients. The company is headquartered at a 10,000+ sqm Industrial 4.0 facility in Camisano Vicentino, Italy, with 120+ tons/year of production capacity, and operates from a base of 25 professionals.

Aethera serves B2B customers across four verticals — personal care/cosmetics (primary), nutrition/nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and farm care — with the cosmetics segment anchored by the Sustainable Efficacy line. Revenue is generated through ingredient sales (one-time licensing per batch), custom co-development projects, and contract manufacturing services. Distribution is primarily indirect: a 50-50 joint venture with Robertet (announced March 2026) provides access to 50+ countries, supplemented by Japanese distributors (Pharmaniche, RIVERSON&CO) and direct B2B sales. The company holds ISO 9001, FSSC 22000, and COSMOS/ECOCERT certifications, and is a subsidiary of Cereal Docks S.p.A., an Italian family-owned benefit corporation. Major named customers/partners include Robertet (JV and distribution), Ergo Bioscience (contract manufacturing for plant-based proteins), and Japanese cosmetics and nutraceutical buyers.

Name

Aethera Biotech

Legal name

Aethera Biotech S.r.l.

Website

https://aetherabiotech.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aethera Biotech is an Italian biotechnology company that produces standardized plant-derived active ingredients via its proprietary CROP® in vitro cell culture platform, serving B2B customers in cosmetics, nutrition, pharmaceutical, and farm care sectors across 50+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biotechnology Active Ingredients

NAICS

Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Biological Formulation, Fermentation & Scale-Up Manufacturing (AFABAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Botanical Biopesticides & Plant Extracts (Essential Oils, Neem, Pyrethrins) (AFABAEAF)

Keywords

• Plant cell culture biotechnology
• Standardized botanical extracts
• Cosmetic active ingredients
• Meristematic phytocomplexes
• In vitro plant biotechnology

Headquarters

HQ city

Camisano Vicentino

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Active Cosmetic Ingredients: Sale of proprietary phytocomplexes (CROP®-G and CROP®-P product lines) to cosmetics manufacturers. Products include PEPTinGLOW, AQ3Rose, DauVes, EchinAge, ForsINgen, LiftyLOX, MetropolePure, ReSILiEMcare, ROSeout, SageBalance for personal care applications.
2. Nutraceutical Ingredients: Standardized plant active ingredients for nutrition/supplement market. Products free from solvents, pollutants, and environmental contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals and aflatoxins.
3. Pharmaceutical Ingredients: Selected plant lines for pharmaceutical applications, standardized in metabolites of interest. Aethera developed highly automated industrial plant 4.0 with complete traceability.
4. Farm Care Ingredients: 100% natural phytocomplexes for animal and plant well-being without genetic modifications. Products maintain soil microbiome and respect natural balance.
5. Custom Co-development: Partnership-based development of customized, patentable phytocomplexes for customers. 'Design your active' service offering exclusive ingredients with strong added value.
6. Contract Manufacturing Services: Providing CROP® platform capacity (120+ tons/year) for third-party bioprocess scaling. Partnership with Ergo Bioscience for precision fermentation bioprocesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Aethera Biotech develops and manufactures standardized botanical active ingredients (phytocomplexes) using its proprietary CROP® plant cell culture biotechnology platform. The company produces ingredients for personal care (cosmetics), nutrition, pharmaceutical, and farm care sectors through in vitro cultures of meristematic plant cells, with annual production capacity exceeding 120 tons. Products are sold to manufacturers under its Sustainable Efficacy and Lymph Oil product lines, with custom ingredient development offered through its CROP®² service.

Product overview

Aethera Biotech operates a unified CROP® (Controlled Release of Optimized Plants) biotech platform that produces standardised phytocomplexes from meristematic plant cell cultures. The portfolio spans two main lines under Personal Care: the CROP®-G (general/personal care) Sustainable Efficacy line of meristematic phytocomplex ingredients including PEPTinGLOW CROP®-G, AQ3Rose CROP®-G, DauVes CROP®-G, EchinAge CROP®-G, ForsINgen CROP®-G, LiftyLOX CROP®-G, MetropolePure CROP®-G, ReSILiEMcare CROP®-G, ROSeout CROP®-G, and SageBalance CROP®-P; and the Lymph Oil line of ECOCERT-certified organic vegetable oils (DorellaLymph, LinumLymph, SunLymph Altoleic). Beyond personal care, the CROP® platform serves Nutrition, Pharma, and Farm Care sectors. Custom ingredient development is offered through the Design Your Active programme using three CROP®2 sub-services: CROP®2Active (exclusive actives from stable cell lines), CROP®2Marker (marker identification and standardisation), and CROP®2Enhanced (maximised marker expression for enhanced efficacy).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PEPTinGLOW CROP®-G A mix of highly standardised peptides obtained from in-vitro cultures of Mentha arvensis, characterised by low molecular weight peptides (2-10 amino acids), with carbohydrates, amino acids, shikimates, phenylpropanoids, fatty acids and organic acids. Designed for Glow, health-ageing, neurocosmetic, and Longevity effects in skin care formulations.
• AQ3Rose CROP®-G A highly standardised phytocomplex of meristematic cells of Rosa chinensis titrated in total polysaccharides and phytocollagen, with deep moisturising, anti-wrinkle, skin elasticity and firmness, and lash volumising/lengthening properties. COSMOS certified.
• DauVes CROP®-G A highly standardised phytocomplex of wild red-purple Daucus carota sativa meristematic cells titrated in total anthocyanins, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and microcirculation-improving properties for protection against photo-aging and oxidative stress. COSMOS certified.
• EchinAge CROP®-G A highly standardised phytocomplex of meristematic cells of Echinacea purpurea titrated in total polyphenols expressed chicoric acid equivalent, with collagen-stimulating, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and skin-firming properties. COSMOS certified.
• ForsINgen CROP®-G A highly standardised phytocomplex of meristematic cells of Forsythia suspensa titrated in total polyphenols expressed as verbascoside equivalent, with deep balancing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, sebo-regulation, and scalp well-being properties. COSMOS certified.
• LiftyLOX CROP®-G A highly standardised phytocomplex of meristematic cells of Zanthoxylum piperitum titrated in lignans expressed as pinoresinol equivalents, with anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, firming, and collagen metabolism modulating properties. COSMOS certified.
• MetropolePure CROP®-G A highly standardised phytocomplex of meristematic cells of Melissa officinalis titrated in total polyphenols expressed as rosmarinic acid equivalent, with blue light and IR radiation protection, mitochondrial preservation, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. COSMOS certified.
• ReSILiEMcare CROP®-G A patented, highly standardised phytocomplex of meristematic cells of Perilla frutescens titrated in total anthocyanins and polyphenols, with anti-inflammatory, skin barrier restoring, and mucosa rebalancing properties for intimate care and sensitive skin applications. COSMOS certified.
• ROSeout CROP®-G A highly standardised phytocomplex of meristematic cells of Rosa canina titrated in total polysaccharides and gallic acid derivatives, with antioxidant, ROS-protective, revitalising, soothing, moisturising, and hair-strengthening properties. COSMOS certified.
• SageBalance CROP®-P A highly concentrated standardised phytocomplex of meristematic cells of Salvia officinalis titrated in total polyphenols expressed rosmarinic acid equivalent, with microbiome rebalancing, deodorant, and skin/scalp microbiome rebalancing properties. Odourless formulation. COSMOS certified.
• DorellaLymph Oil Organic Organic virgin cold-pressed Camelina sativa oil from Italian supply chain, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and plant sterols, with soothing, repairing, nourishing, and omega-3/omega-6 balancing properties for sensitive and atopic skin. ECOCERT/COSMOS certified.
• LinumLymph Oil Organic Organic virgin cold-pressed linseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil from Italian supply chain, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, with strong emollient and nourishing action for skin and hair beauty restoration.
• SunLymph Altoleic Oil Organic Organic high oleic sunflower oil with low saturated fatty acid content and oxidation resistance, derived from a traced Italian supply chain with CO2 emission monitoring, for cosmetic moisturising applications.
• Design Your Active (CROP®² Service) Custom co-development service offering exclusive, patentable phytocomplexes for customers. Combines three CROP®² sub-services: CROP®²Active (elevates selected plants through CROP® technology for exclusive actives from stable cell lines), CROP®²Marker (identifies key markers for standardized products), and CROP®²Enhanced (maximizes marker expression for enhanced efficacy). 'Design your active' partnership-based development of customized ingredients with strong added value.
• CROP® Contract Manufacturing Services Contract manufacturing services providing CROP® platform capacity (120+ tons/year) for third-party bioprocess scaling. Partnership with Ergo Bioscience for precision fermentation bioprocesses, including plant-based myoglobin and casein proteins from carrot cell cultures.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% absence of pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals, aflatoxins, and residual solvents in all products
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RobertetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 202650-50 joint venture combining Aethera's CROP® platform and production capabilities with Robertet's global commercial network and distribution across 50+ countries. Investment structured in two phases over three years. Aethera becomes Robertet's center of excellence for biotech developments. Partnership advances Robertet's 'Augmented Naturality' strategy and marks its first step into biotechnology.
• Ergo BiosciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2023Strategic partnership for scaling up Ergo Bioscience's precision fermentation bioprocesses. Aethera provides CROP® platform capacity (120+ tons/year) to develop Ergo's carrot cell line to large-scale production for plant-based myoglobin and casein proteins for food applications.
• Spinlife (University of Padua)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 December 2022Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study partnership to analyze environmental performance of CROP® production process. Analyzed 16 environmental impact categories. Resulted in photovoltaic system installation for self-sufficiency.
• PharmanicheminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 2 November 2019Italian trading company specialized in introduction of active ingredients in new markets. Partnered with Aethera for initial Japan market entry.
• RIVERSON&COminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 2 November 2019Japanese market distributor for Aethera's ingredients in cosmetics and nutraceutical sectors.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mibelle Biochemistry: Swiss developer of plant-cell-culture-derived and biotech cosmetic actives (e.g., PhytoCellTec). Direct peer in standardizing plant-cell-culture ingredients for the cosmetics industry.
• Naolys: French biotechnology company specializing in in vitro plant cell cultures for cosmetic active ingredients. Closest direct competitor to Aethera in plant-cell-culture-based botanical actives for skincare.

Broad incumbents

• Givaudan: World's largest fragrance and flavor house, actively investing in biotech and fermentation-based ingredients. Broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities in cosmetic actives.
• Symrise: German fragrance, flavor, and cosmetic-ingredient major with a Diana division focused on natural and biotech-derived cosmetic actives. Broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities.
• Robertet: Global French fragrance and natural-ingredient major with distribution in 50+ countries; Aethera's 50-50 JV partner. Comparable as a broader incumbent entering biotech actives through the Aethera partnership.
• BASF (Care Chemicals division): German chemical major with a Care Chemicals division serving personal care, home care and industrial formulators. Broad incumbent offering overlapping botanical and biotech-derived cosmetic ingredients.
• DSM-Firmenich: Global nutrition, health, and beauty ingredients major formed via the DSM–Firmenich merger, with strong biotech/fermentation capabilities in personal care. Broad incumbent competitor.
• International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF): Major global ingredients supplier to cosmetics, food, and home & personal care with growing biotech capabilities via Health & Biosciences. Comparable broad incumbent in cosmetic actives.

Emerging players

• Conagen: US-based biotechnology company using precision fermentation to produce sustainable ingredients including cosmetic and food proteins. Comparable as an emerging biotech-ingredient peer leveraging fermentation/cell-culture platforms.
• Geltor: US biotech producing animal-free proteins via fermentation for cosmetics and nutrition. Emerging player demonstrating commercial viability of biotech-derived cosmetic ingredients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Aethera Biotech