Nature has achieved remarkable feats over billions of years, yet there is always potential for enhancement. While the proteins in our bodies serve significant functions, their production and packaging can be challenging. Cambrium aims to innovate these molecules, creating versions that are not only efficient but also sustainable, scalable, and vegan-friendly. And yes, artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in this process.
Cambrium has secured €11 million (approximately $11.6 million) to broaden its offerings beyond its proof-of-concept product, NovaColl, a custom collagen derivative. The funding will support the development of a range of structural proteins intended for use in personal care and fashion industries.
Collagen serves as a perfect example of a molecule ripe for modification. It is the most abundant protein in the human body, found in nearly all tissues. As collagen levels diminish with age, this drop is often linked to wrinkles and other signs of aging. While the effectiveness of collagen supplements—both oral and topical—may be debated, they remain popular and safe.
However, two significant issues arise with traditional collagen: firstly, sourcing biosimilar collagen typically involves animals, usually from waste generated by meat processing. This practice is far from ideal. Secondly, natural collagen molecules are often too large to effectively permeate the skin and perform their intended functions.
In Cambrium's early development, the team focused on isolating the protein regions that exert the most substantial effects and modified them to enhance manufacturability within bioreactors—essentially large tanks filled with specialized microbes that consume sugar and produce the desired molecule. The resulting NovaColl molecule is smaller and simpler to produce, showing potential in stimulating collagen production more effectively than natural collagen, all while avoiding harm to animals.
This approach validates the potential of improving valuable molecules that are traditionally produced through unsustainable means.
CEO and founder Mitchell Duffy emphasized that Cambrium is not delving into medications or industrial-scale enzymes; instead, the focus is on "structural" proteins, which hold inherent value due to their physical properties. "Much of the biotech industry has concentrated on enzymes, leaving structural proteins relatively unexplored until recently. Yet, these proteins possess significant value, and we interact with them daily. There is a pressing need for innovative methods to produce them," he stated.
As a specific example, Duffy discussed silk, which is harvested en masse from silkworms. While its appeal derives from its unique structural properties—smooth, straight strands at the molecular level—there exists the possibility of engineering cheaper materials with similar qualities. "Imagine reducing the bulk of a less expensive material to achieve a silk-like texture at a fraction of the cost, all while being vegan and more sustainable," he suggested.
By concentrating on the structure and function rather than strictly adhering to specific amino acid sequences (though NovaColl does follow this approach), Cambrium enjoys greater flexibility in the design process. "Creating natural proteins can be complex because evolution optimizes for diverse criteria rather than exclusively human needs," Duffy explained. "Digital design empowers us to tailor proteins for human requirements and scalable production. Many companies are focused on identifying the ideal protein before scaling, whereas we are prioritizing the design of proteins that are inherently scalable."
This is where AI comes into play. Interestingly, Cambrium’s approach isn’t merely algorithmic or bio-specific, but instead draws parallels between proteins and linguistic structures. "Proteins have a composition akin to that of sentences—there are components that can be swapped to convey similar meanings with different nuances. Our goal is to craft new combinations. We developed a programming language allowing us to impose constraints on our protein-generating model, trained on extensive datasets, reflecting the capabilities of generative AI," he noted.
Cambrium is engaged in both modifying existing proteins and creating new ones from scratch. Rather than pursuing industrial-scale projects, the company is setting its sights on high-value, low-volume markets like personal care. "It’s an ideal starting point: minimal quantity requirements, significant price points, and an audience hungry for innovation backed by data. Additionally, proteins are not only abundant in woven textiles but are also prevalent in leather products, offering pathways for sustainable alternatives," Duffy added.
The recent seed funding round was spearheaded by Essential Capital, with participation from SNR, Valor Equity Partners, and HOF Capital, alongside Merantix, a Berlin-based AI venture studio from which Cambrium emerged. Duffy highlighted Europe's supportive public funding landscape, which facilitates experimentation and process development through grants, ultimately enhancing capital efficiency and market entry without heavily relying on venture funding at early stages.
NovaColl is already being shipped to customers, who are actively testing it in their products. As Cambrium's next molecule developments are kept under wraps for now, further updates are anticipated as the company propels its operations forward with this new funding.
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