French biotech firm Abolis Biotechnologies has launched a software platform for microbial research. It is called MINE, short for Microbial INtelligence Explorer. The company says it can cut trial and error in the development of fermentation-derived ingredients.
MINE combines genomic and multi-omics data with experimental and industrial knowledge. Its aim is to show developers which microorganisms and process parameters look most promising. That happens before teams commit time and resources to extensive lab work and scale-up.
Abolis says the main challenge is not a lack of data. Companies generate large volumes of microbial information. Many struggle to integrate it and to decide which signals matter. Sylvia Julien, general manager of the MINE business unit, said the platform helps teams focus experiments on the questions most likely to advance a program.
MINE grew out of Microbiome Studio, a machine learning-enabled analytical tool. It was created under Metapath, a French government-supported industrial program. Abolis first used it for its own projects. The company then refined it with industrial partners before turning it into a platform for external R&D and open-innovation teams.
The launch extends what Abolis calls its ideation-to-scale model. The platform links microbial data analysis with strain engineering, enzyme modeling, fermentation, bioprocess development and scale-up support.
Abolis positions MINE for new ingredients, biotics, fermentation-derived compounds and other bio-based products. CEO and co-founder Cyrille Pauthenier said the platform brings the company’s microbial, data and industrial expertise into one place. He said it supports decisions before, during, and after experiments.
For ingredient makers, the company points to faster strain selection and better fermentation performance. It also cites alternative production routes for existing molecules.
Other companies have recently announced fermentation tools too. Sensient unveiled technologies aimed at better culture yields. Tetra Pak launched an industrial bioreactor for fermentation-derived ingredients.
