ZYMVOL, a biotechnology company specializing in computational enzyme discovery and design, has secured €3 million in Seed funding. The investment round was led by Faber, with participation from Elaia Partners and Übermorgen Ventures. The new funding is expected to enhance ZYMVOL’s ability to provide tailored enzymatic solutions that streamline industrial processes. Enzymes serve as biocatalysts in various industries, improving efficiency and reducing reliance on traditional, often environmentally harmful, chemical catalysts.
In earlier funding rounds, ZYMVOL had already attracted investments from Elaia Partners during its Pre-Seed phase. The company has since partnered with major global firms, applying its enzyme engineering technology to optimize production and sustainability. Compared to traditional enzyme development, which relies heavily on extensive laboratory testing and trial-and-error processes, ZYMVOL leverages computational simulations to accelerate enzyme discovery with greater accuracy. This method reduces both time and costs associated with biocatalyst engineering.
How Does ZYMVOL’s Technology Work?
ZYMVOL utilizes computer simulations that replicate real experimental conditions with over 90% accuracy. By doing so, the company identifies the most promising enzyme variants before they reach the laboratory stage. This computational approach allows ZYMVOL to engineer enzymes that can withstand industrial conditions such as high pressure and temperature, addressing a key challenge in enzyme application. Additionally, the company’s technology can discover enzymes for target reactions without requiring prior experimental data, expanding the possibilities for industrial applications.
What Challenges Does the Enzyme Industry Face?
Despite the advantages of biocatalysts, industries still face barriers to widespread enzyme adoption. The complexity of enzyme discovery and engineering makes the process expensive and time-consuming. Traditional methods require extensive laboratory work, slowing down innovation. Sofia Santos, Partner at Faber Ventures, emphasized the broader impact of computational enzyme solutions:
“Zymvol’s advanced computational solutions go beyond improving efficiency; they strengthen industrial resilience, drive sustainable innovation, and shape the future of global production.”
ZYMVOL has successfully completed over 100 projects, collaborating with clients such as Axplora, Medichem, and Sanofi. These partnerships highlight the growing demand for computational enzyme engineering in pharmaceuticals and chemicals. CEO Maria Fátima Lucas explained the company’s vision:
“With ZYMVOL, we strive to make enzymes accessible to everyone, so green chemistry becomes the new norm.”
Enzymes have been used for decades in industries like food production and pharmaceuticals, but their integration into large-scale manufacturing remains limited. One of the primary reasons is the difficulty in designing enzymes that can function under industrial conditions. ZYMVOL addresses this issue by replacing traditional methods with computational models, significantly reducing uncertainties in enzyme engineering. The company’s approach also enables the discovery of entirely new enzymes, providing industries with alternatives to chemical catalysts.
With new funding, ZYMVOL aims to refine its computational tools and expand access to enzyme-based solutions. The biotech company’s technology has the potential to make green chemistry more feasible for industries that seek to cut emissions and improve efficiency. However, challenges such as regulatory approvals and industrial scalability remain factors in the broader adoption of enzyme-based production methods. As industries continue to explore sustainable alternatives, computational enzyme engineering could play a crucial role in modern manufacturing.
