Next steps
What are your specific (measurable) short term (6 mo) goals?
- Finalize set-up of our pilot plant with a production capacity of 500 kg·year-1 of ulva biomass.
- Identify 5 potential clients with whom to: (a) test the feasibility of incorporating ulvan into their products; (b) define the regulatory framework we will need to comply with their needs.
- Submit an application to the September H2020 SME Phase 1 call.
What is your time line (6 mo)? List specific dates by which you aim to complete goals and sub-goals.
- Finalize set-up pilot plant: (a) September 2019 first trials of hydrodynamics, salinity ASM, nutrient formulations and dosifications achieved. First batches of Ulva obtained. (b) December 2019: first sample products to be distributed/tested with potential clients.
- Identify 5 potential clients: August 2019: list 5 potential clients and compile all relevant regulations. September-December: contact potential clients.
- September 2019. Application to SME submitted.
Assumptions
What are the key assumptions you have identified? (List at least 3).
- Seaweed collected from the shore or cultivated in marine waters is not homogeneous and is often contaminated (heavy metals, PCBs, etc.)
- Ulvan has significant emollient, hydrating properties.
- Ulvan can be incorporated into cosmetic products easily and without causing side effects.
- Ulvan yield can be standardized and calculated when knowing the original amount of seaweed biomass.
- There is a genuine growing interest in natural, organic, traceable products.
- People are ready to pay more for “better” and more secure products, thus, it will be easy to convince our customers to incorporate our compounds into their products despite the implicit increase in price involved.
- Regulatory frames will become more and more strict regarding the presence of contaminants in cosmetic products.
- The current climate change scenario with unpredictable shifts in species distributions and abundance trends will cause environmental authorities to restrict harvesting biomass from the shore.
- We are going to be able to control Ulva’s life cycle in such a way that we can obtain our own germoplasm that we can keep in our facility in order to start new generations and start genetic selection processes which make us independent from natural sources.
- Ulvan has anti-cancer properties that can be extended to human applications.
- We will be able to characterize our extracted ulvan in such a way that it can comply with specification requirements set by the cosmetic and pharma industries.
- We will be able to modify ulvan’s structure (with its concomitant improvement in activity), in such a way that we can patent it and sell it as an exclusive ingredient despite it being a natural product.
- The pulp obtained after ulvan extraction is rich in proteins which are more accessible/ digestible after the elimination of the polysaccharide matrix in which they are embedded.
- We will be able to characterize the microbiome associated with our Ulva species and understand the role they play in their growth trends, morphology and composition.
- By modifying / controlling the bacterial communities/functionalities associated with our Ulva we will be able to enhance growth and concentration of particular compounds of interest.
- Ulvan extracted from Ulva cultivated in the same conditions will always be the same.
- Ulva is a true source of vitamins, proteins, antioxidants, minerals for humans and animals.
Statement
The global demand for natural products in the cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical sectors is increasing exponentially. However, current feedstock sources don’t meet the quality requirements set by the market.
At Investalga, we have developed a scientific and technology based cultivation and extraction process that guarantees the provision of seaweed derived sulphated polysaccharides/bioactives with astonishing properties and certified quality and homogeneity standards.
Reflections
My first thought is that I wish I had been engaged in such a program when I first thought of setting up the company. I wish (or I hope) there'll be a tight and long lasting connection between you and Cantabrian institutions so that we can continue to benefit and learn from your initiatives and mentoring programs. Finally, you really raise the will to establish strong links with this fantastic environment. We definitely have a lot to learn from you guys...
