Jennewein Biotechnologie to Build New R&D Centre for Synthetic Organisms and Microbiome Research in Bonn, Germany

RHEINBREITBACH, Germany, July 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

Jennewein Biotechnologie announces that on June 15, 2018, it signed a long-term lease for a 1000-m² plot of land on Mildred-Scheel-Straße, Bonn Bad Godesberg, which will be the site of a new R&D centre for microbiome research and designer microorganisms. "The relocation of part of our research department, from its home of many years in Rheinbreitbach, to Bonn Bad Godesberg, was necessary because of the strong growth our company has enjoyed over the past few years, and the lack of space now available for additional research activities," explains Dr. Katja Parschat, Deputy Head of R&D at Jennewein Biotechnologie. The company plans to invest around 3.6 million euros in a new laboratory facility, and the employees of the Metabolic Engineering Division are set to move to Bonn in October this year. In the medium term, the new R&D centre will accommodate 30-40 research scientists.

The new R&D centre will continue to develop the company's successful research on metabolic engineering, focusing on designer microorganisms and particularly on new technologies for the creation of organisms with synthetic genomes. Jennewein Biotechnologie has been a leader in metabolic engineering and genome modification for many years. "Extending the genome engineering work we began in 2005 to embrace synthetic and rationally designed genomes is a logical step on the way to designer organisms, which will enable us to increase the yields of our products and save on costs," says Dr. Stefan Jennewein, CEO of Jennewein Biotechnologie. "This is especially important in order to remain competitive in the long term and to maintain our leading position on the international stage." The new R&D centre will also expand the company's microbiome research activities and strengthen its expertise. Jennewein Biotechnologie recently launched the world's first clinical study to investigate the development of the infant microbiome and the impact of breastfeeding and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). This study is still ongoing, and currently involves 300 babies in Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain.

"Microbiomes are everywhere and we're constantly interacting with them," says Dr. Jennewein. "Although not much is yet known about the relationship between microbiomes and allergies, autism, obesity and other diseases, the microbiome definitely plays an important role in infant development. And this isn't just limited to the intestinal microbiome. We see great potential in products which promote what we call the healthy microbiome, especially in the area of infant and toddler nutrition."

About HMOs:

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complex sugar molecules that are only present in breast milk. Excluding water, they are the third most abundant constituent of human milk after fats and lactose. More than 200 structurally different HMOs have been identified.

The most abundant HMO is 2′-fucosyllactose, which is produced by about 80% of all lactating mothers at concentrations of up to 2 g/L. Scientific studies have shown that HMOs, and 2′-fucosyllactose in particular, have a positive impact on infant development. HMOs are prebiotic, i.e. they specifically promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms, and at the same time they inhibit the growth of pathogens by directly and indirectly preventing colonisation. Jennewein Biotechnologie launched 2′-fucosyllactose onto the global baby food market in 2015, and several infant milk formulas around the world now contain 2′-fucosyllactose (e.g. Abbott Similac).

About the microbiome:

The microbiome is the entirety of all microorganisms that colonise humans. Although most of these microorganisms live in the gut, others live on the skin or inhabit other parts of the body, such as the mouth and nose. The microbiome is a complex ecosystem consisting of about 100 different microbial species. Some extremely important functions are attributed to the gut microbiome, such as programming the immune system and defending against pathogens.

About synthetic biology:

Synthetic biology is the creation of biological systems that do not occur naturally. The goal is to manufacture artificial systems that nevertheless fulfil useful functions such as the production of beneficial proteins and metabolites. The techniques used in synthetic biology are similar to genetic engineering, but involve not only the transfer of natural genes between species but also completely new genetic sequences designed with the help of computers. Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary field requiring collaboration between biologists, chemists and engineers.

About Jennewein Biotechnologie:

Jennewein Biotechnologie is a leading international industrial biotechnology company with a range of products in the field of complex oligosaccharides (HMOs) and rare monosaccharides. The company manufactures an extensive portfolio of innovative HMO products, such as 2′-fucosyllactose, 3′-fucosyllactose and lacto-N-tetraose. These rare sugars are used in the food industry (particularly infant milk formulas), the pharmaceutical industry, and the cosmetic industry. The manufacturing process involves state-of-the-art fermentation techniques. In 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Jennewein Biotechnologie a license to market 2′-fucosyllactose in the USA. This was followed in 2017 by European Union marketing authorisation under the Novel Food Regulation.

For further information, please contact:
Dr. Bettina Gutierrez
bettina.gutierrez@jennewein-biotech.de
Tel. +49(0)2224-9197346