Insempra biologically replicates substances from conventional chemical production processes in order to end the dependence on manufacturers of traditional petrochemicals. The strategic investment in Solena Materials is intended to contribute to the Munich-based biotech company's strategy of using new technologies to advance biological production processes and create naturally superior products. As part of Insempra's platform, Solena Materials is intended to contribute to delivering high-performance, inherently sustainable ingredients for a wide range of industries. In May of last year, Insempra, then still known as Origin.Bio, secured a Investment capital of 12.3 million eurosThe IZB company wanted to use the fresh capital to expand its team and develop new technologies.
Solena Materials uses computer-aided design to develop new classes of synthetic proteins for high-performance clothing fibers capable of absorbing large amounts of kinetic energy. By developing and manufacturing these synthetic proteins at an industrial scale, the company aims to create bio-based solutions for the petrochemical-based, non-biodegradable materials or naturally or animal-derived fibers, such as silk, currently used in the textile and clothing industry. This technology also mitigates other environmental impacts, such as the increase in microplastics in waterways resulting from the washing of textiles made from petrochemical feedstocks.
“Customized high-performance fibers for a wide range of applications”
Jens Klein, founder and CEO of Insempra and CEO of Solena Materials, commented on the current investment:
"We are very excited about this investment in Solena, which will help accelerate our market-leading approach to developing superior, inherently sustainable ingredients. We look forward to advancing the development and production of Solena's unique synthetic proteins to create customized, high-performance fibers for a wide range of applications."
James MacDonald, inventor, co-founder and CTO of Solena Materials, added:
“The team and I are very excited to make this technology a huge success.”
“Recognizes the potential of our technology”
professor Paul Freemont from Imperial College London added:
"This investment by Insempra recognizes the potential of our technology to revolutionize high-performance fabrics and their supply chains. Together, we can leverage our synthetic biology capabilities to develop, produce, and manufacture a new class of superior, more sustainable fiber technologies."
Insempra, a co-founder of Solena, will be the sole shareholder of Solena, which will be based at Imperial College's Translation & Innovation Hub in White City, London. Solena's board will consist of James MacDonald of Solena, Professor Paul Freemont and Professor Milo Shaffer of Imperial College London, and Jens Klein and Andreas Heyl of Insempra.
