Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

Ardra Inc. is a Toronto-based biotech spun out from University of Toronto that produces natural ingredients using fermentation for food, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals markets. Ardra’s ingredients cater to emerging markets: natural flavors for beverages, flavors and colorants for plant-based meat alternatives, keto-diet ingredients, and natural preservatives. Ardra’s synthetic biology-based processes use fermentation of sugars to produce natural ingredients at lower cost, with stable supply and without any seasonal variation. Porphyrins are colored chemical compounds with interconnected tetrapyrrole structures, including heme and chlorophyll, known for their applications in therapeutics, molecular electronics, and polymers. Traditional chemical production of porphyrins is inefficient and environmentally unfriendly, leading to low yields and complex purification processes. Precision fermentation offers a sustainable alternative for producing porphyrins, such as heme, which has significant applications in the food, feed, nutraceutical, and medical industries. This study focuses on optimizing heme production using the Shemin/C4 pathway in E. coli through scaling up of both upstream and downstream processes and strain improvement. Ardra, aims to produce 500g of animal-free heme, essential for the flavor and culinary properties of plant-based meat. Ardra's technology involves engineering microorganisms for sustainable ingredient production, protected by patents, and utilizing contract manufacturing for flexibility and market entry. The successful completion of this project will position Ardra’s biosynthesized heme to improve and compete, attract foreign investment, and create high-paying technical jobs. Increased sales revenue, strategic partnerships, while also positively impacting the Canadian economy are additional benefits post completion of this project. Developing precision fermentation and biomanufacturing technologies will support Canada's biomanufacturing momentum and leverage its biotechnology strengths. This innovation empowers the food industry to create sustainable food alternatives, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The project also enables Ardra to scale up heme production technology, improve product quality and purity, establish production protocols, and initiate regulatory approval, positioning the company for further fundraising and customer acquisition.