In Baltimore, synbio startup Conagen, Inc. and biobased compounds maker Natáur LLC have partnered to produce taurine via biotechnology.
Taurine is essential for cardiovascular, skeletal muscle, vision, and nervous system function in both humans and animals, but is not produced naturally by plants, fungi, or single-cell protein systems. Currently, taurine for supplements is manufactured from fossil fuels.
The companies aim to scale Natáur’s proprietary, fermentation-based route to meet growing demand for sustainable taurine alternatives.
“Conagen has the bio-manufacturing expertise and scale-up production capabilities to quickly get natural taurine into the marketplace,” said Kathleen Turano, CEO of Natáur, in a press statement.