TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
Keclon, a technology-based company, begins to export 100 tons of enzyme preparation to Brazil
The company was founded by CONICET researchers, who made everything, from the DNA sequencing to the development of ton fermerters and industrial packaging.
Keclon is a biotechnological company founded by researchers Hugo Menzella, María Eugenia Castelli, Andrés Aguirre and Salvador Peirú, from the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) at the Institute of Biotechnological and Chemical Processes (IPROByQ, CONICET-UNR). The company exports 100 tons of enzyme preparation to Brazil for the food and oleochemical industry.
Hugo Menzella, cofounder of Keclon and director at the IPROByQ, said: “There has never been a company whose technology was entirely designed by CONICET researchers: from the DNA sequencing –whose size is measured in Armstrong (ten million times smaller than a meter), to tens ton fermenters. That creates jobs and generates foreign currency, and that shows that the only way is to develop technology.”
“Before exporting, we analyzed processes in the chemical industry where enzymes can improve efficiency; validate with potential users, model the economic benefit to the client and make the IP and regulatory analysis. We began the development only after everything had been validated because scientists always tend to do things first and then see if they work, instead of looking for the problem and solving it,” the scientist explains.
Founded with the advice of repatriated CONICET scientists and the technical support of the Technology Transfer Office of CONICET, the company produces and markets in its new plant, inaugurated in November 2021. This promotes the development of new markets, enhances its export profile, generates employment for numerous scientists trained in the science and the technology system and turns Argentina into a regional benchmark in biotechnological processes that allow better industrial performance while reducing environmental impact.
The global industrial enzyme market currently represents USD 5 billion and is expanding rapidly (estimated at a rate of 6% per year) by incorporating industries such as food, agrochemical, animal feed, biofuels and pharmaceuticals, among others; being a fundamental part if its migration towards 4.0 solutions that seek higher yields in its industrial processes.
The company uses tools of genetic engineering, synthetic biology and directed evolution techniques to develop a strong portfolio of internationally patented products for the food, oleochemical and pharmaceutical industries.
In order to become a technology-based company, it is worth mentioning that Keclon had funds that came from the Pymar investment fund and later from the ‘Argentine Sectorial Fund (FONARSEC) through the ‘National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion (ANPCyT).
Then, it had a timely contribution of $35,087,684 Argentine pesos from the National Agency for Promotion of Research, Technological Development and Innovation (R+D+i) to finance three projects. Thanks to this, the company was able to receive, in a second round, investments from the private sector for a total of 14 million dollars.