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Digestiva, a biotechnology firm specialising in enzyme development for the food industry, has completed a Series A funding round, raising $18.4 million.

The round was led by Magdalena, a player in sugar cane processing, and also saw participation from UC Investments and existing investors such as The March Fund and Astanor.

The funds will accelerate the commercialisation of Digestiva’s proprietary protease enzyme platform, which was co-developed by Wilson Mak at the University of California, Davis, under the mentorship of Justin Siegel, an expert in enzyme discovery and design.

This technology aims to tackle significant challenges in protein nutrition, enhancing bioavailability and digestibility for both humans and animals.

Digestiva's enzymes are designed to improve the nutritional profile of dietary proteins, addressing a widespread issue where individuals struggle to extract optimal nutrition, particularly as they age.

The company says that its enzymes can enhance the efficacy of existing diets without requiring an increase in protein consumption, potentially alleviating global malnutrition and supporting sustainable food practices.

In parallel with the funding, Digestiva also announced an exclusive manufacturing partnership with Magdalena. This collaboration is expected to facilitate the scale-up of enzyme production, vital for meeting commercial objectives and ensuring a stable supply chain.

The company is currently engaged in multiple pilot projects aimed at bringing its first precision protease to market. This enzyme has demonstrated potential in improving the processability and nutritional quality of proteins, releasing an optimal mix of amino acids and peptides.

Applications are anticipated across various sectors, including pet food, animal feed and human nutrition.

Digestiva has also developed a cost-effective production method through precision fermentation and has received Self-Affirmed Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status for its first product, marking a significant step toward market readiness.

John Melo, CEO of Digestiva, said: “We are excited to partner with Magdalena to manufacture our enzymes, ensuring both cost efficiencies and long-term supply security for our customers”.

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