From Novo Nordisk breaking the peptide drug monopoly with gene-edited E. coli to Ginkgo Bioworks rewriting the logic of chemical production with AI-designed ‘super strains’.

These invisible microorganisms are being empowered by CRISPR gene editing, high-density fermentation, and real-time regulation by AI, turning them into ‘bio-printing machines’ that can ‘produce everything’.

Today, knikbio brings you some star strains!

Bacillus subtilis

Patented strain produces Bacillus subtilis fibrinolytic enzyme through high-density fermentation, with thrombolytic activity of 10 million international units/g, half-life of over 16 hours, more than 40 times that of traditional thrombolytic drugs.

Market value: Oral preparation is used for thrombosis prevention, lyophilised powder injection enters the clinical stage and is expected to be listed in 2030, breaking the monopoly of imported drugs.

Motile fermentation of Aeromonas sp.

Endowed with self-flocculation property by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, it enables anaerobic continuous fermentation for co-production of bioethanol (9% v/v) and bioplastic PHB (74% DCW content), with a 40% reduction in production cost.

Market value: cellulosic ethanol production, biodegradable material preparation.

Escherichia coli/yeast (Novo Nordisk)

Codon optimisation strain expression is increased 3 times, disulfide bond correct rate >98%, supporting the annual production capacity of simethicone to exceed 500 tons.

Market value: 70% of global peptide drugs (e.g. insulin, octreotide) rely on this technology, and the market size in 2025 will exceed USD 200 billion.

Lactobacillus plantarum P-8

Acid-resistant and bile salt-resistant, regulating intestinal flora, clinically proven to reduce serum cholesterol by 12%, has been used in the industrial production of fermented dairy products.

The relevant unit has the world’s largest Lactobacillus germplasm database (47,573 strains), and has constructed the iLABdb database to realise precise screening of strains.

Bifidobacterium shortum CCFM683

Produces conjugated linoleic acid with 90% conversion rate, regulates intestinal immunity, and enters ASEAN market with IberoBiotics, a probiotic product developed in collaboration with Bayer.

Market value: Singapore launch in 2024, 5 clinical trials confirm adjuvant efficacy for skin health (e.g. psoriasis).

ASTARTE™ Probiotic Blend (PrecisionBiotics)

Contains 4 patented strains of Lactobacillus curvatus LBV88, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LBV96, etc. Clinically proven to increase vaginal Lactobacillus colonisation by 200% and reduce yeast levels by 50%.

Market value: adjuvant treatment of herpes virus infection in pregnant women, 50% reduction in the incidence of placental insufficiency.

Jejubacter sp. L23

Salt resistance (12% NaCl), high temperature resistance (45℃), non-sterile fermentation production of isobutanol 41 g/L, energy consumption reduced by 30%.

Market value: Inulin as raw material to produce biofuel and high value-added chemicals.

Ganoderma lucidum strain M624

Factory cultivation stability increased by 30%, polysaccharide extraction rate increased by 25%, awarded the Silver Prize of High Value Patent in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Bay Area.

Market value: Applied to Ganoderma lucidum royal capsules, annual sales over 1 billion yuan.