BioFoodTech start-up EXOSOMM, Ltd., has explored the natural mechanisms inherent in human breastmilk to create a novel bioactive ingredient that can potentially support millions of adults with inflammatory disorders. Based on its scientific findings EXOSOMM developed an innovative technology that isolates exosomes—natural particles in maternal milk that play an important role in the healthy development of the immune system.
EXOSOMM upcycles byproducts of the traditional cheese making process to create this potent functional ingredient. While still a young start-up, it has already reached commercial production capacity of its patent-protected exosomes for the medical food space.
Developed in the Israeli Hadassah University Medical center, the technology consists of naturally isolated exosomes from upcycled byproducts of the traditional cheese making process to use as a bioactive ingredient. This step was accomplished by Regina Golan-Gerstl, Ph.D, EXOSOMM’s co-founder and CTO, and senior lecturer and director of the Paediatrics Laboratory at the Hadassah Medical Center. Golan-Gerstl developed a highly effective, safe, and economical method for isolating the bovine milk exosomes.
“One of the challenges was to transform the developed technology into a commercially viable process,” explains Netta Granot, co-founder and CEO of EXOSOMM. “It was essential to find a facility that can collect the whey left over from cheesemaking and process it in a way that ensures the isolated exosomes maintain their unique set of bioavailable properties. We employ a wholly natural process, without chemicals, while adhering to all the required regulations for food safety and quality. Moreover, it was important for us to derive the milk benefits without exerting any burden on milk production. That’s why we run a circular system that depends solely on the whey side stream of the cheese industry.”
The start-up collaborated with Ba’emek Tech, subsidiary of Tnuva Food Industries, Ltd., Israel’s leading food group and producer of fresh dairy products. Ba’emek specializes in the production of whey products and provides the raw material as well as the full commercial technological infrastructure necessary for EXOXOMM’s progress and scale-up goals.
The start-up’s key targets are medical food brands and food formulas intended for special dietary needs. The exosomes can also be integrated as a functional ingredient in numerous food and beverage applications.
