Yemoja, a startup company specializing in microalgae cultivation, joined the Israel-based MIGAL Galilee Research Institute to spearhead a four-year research initiative to identify algae-sourced compounds that have the potential to reduce inflammation, particularly that which is present in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Yemoja joined the project with the intention to develop select algae into ingredients for functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical applications.
 
The initiative, called “Algae4IBD,” was launched in June and has been awarded a grant of 7.5 million euros from the EU funding arm Horizon 2020, which supports research and innovation projects. Yemoja is one of 21 members in a project consortium which includes marine science experts, research institutes, universities, hospitals, IBD centers, and other algae cultivation companies. The research will be led by Dr. Dorit Avni, senior researcher for MIGAL.
 
IBD, which currently affects an estimated 2 million Europeans and 1.5 million Americans, is characterized by prolonged intestinal inflammation, and is more likely to affect those in the Western world. IBD includes both Crohn’s Disease and colitis. According to data, IBD has progressed to become a global problem after first burgeoning in newly-industrialized countries, Yemoja reports.
 
“We believe a promising solution for this illness could be hiding within the cell walls of microalgae,” Dr. Amikam Bar Gil, chief technology officer of Yemoja, said. “There are some preliminary data within the peer-reviewed literature suggesting that microalgae could harbor anti-inflammatory activity within the digestive tract. This arm of research is still in early stages, leaving an ocean of knowledge still needing to be uncovered. This consortium was devised to pioneer the first robust and broad-scale inquiry into the positive connection between microalgae and IBD.”
 
The initiative is designed to follow preliminary studies conducted by Anvi’s team at MIGAL Institute. Under the present partnership, Yemoja will be responsible for cultivating multiple strains of known and novel microalgae to be screened for their potential anti-IBD properties. Several hundred strains will be screened before a select group are advanced to clinical trials. The microalgae candidates will be supported by both Yemoja and other international algae companies.
 
“Yemoja operates a cutting-edge, indoor system for cultivating high-value, pure, and uncompromisingly standardized microalgae biomaterials,” Anvi said. “This is a major advantage when addressing algae-based bioactive compounds. Moreover, Yemoja’s photobioreactor technology possesses unique capabilities to simultaneously produce any desired microalgae species, of any required quantity, rendering it ideal for the unique needs of the research project.”
 
Yemoja’s high-precision indoor cultivation platform allows the company to manipulate environmental parameters such as light, temperature, and pH to achieve high concentrations of the desired bioactive compounds, and enhance yields without the threat of contamination. It involves a small-batch production line of vertical luminescent columns, each of which is isolated and allocated a specific algae species.
 
Following the research, Yemoja will roll out commercial-scale production of successful microalgae candidates that will be used to develop functional food solutions, such as bread, gummies, and bars, as well as natural supplements and pharmaceuticals.
 
“Algae4IBD is the first far-reaching study to comprehensively assess the potential of an extraordinarily wide spectrum of microalgae for managing IBD,” Bar-Gil said. “This was not possible before, due to cultivation limitations. Microalgae are esteemed for their inherently rich content of healthful fatty acids, protein, antioxidant pigments, and polysaccharides, and presents multifaceted avenues for addressing IBD. It is an exciting project we anticipate will bring good news for chronic sufferers of IBD.”