BASF Venture Capital invested in Chinese industrial synthetic biotech company Bota Biosciences.
WHO: Based in Hangzhou, China, Bota Bio, founded in 2019, is developing a proprietary next-generation biotechnology platform that enables sustainable and economical production of high-value products for a broad array of applications. Industrial biotechnology, or “white biotechnology,” uses living cells and enzymes to develop and manufacture products efficiently. Bota Bio’s interdisciplinary team includes biologists, chemists, engineers, and industry veterans with a strong track record in the successful development and commercialization of products and plans to continue bringing valuable and innovative products to the market. Bota Bio’s innovative fermentation process is scalable, making commercial production possible.
BASF Venture Capital (BVC) was founded in 2001 and has offices in Europe, the US, China, India, Brazil, and Israel. The aim of BVC is to generate new growth potential for BASF by investing in new companies and funds. The focus of investment is on chemical products and new materials, software, and services as well as innovative and digital business models in the broader field of chemistry.
WHY: BASF uses fermentation and biocatalysis to manufacture products such as vitamins and enzymes, and is working on processes that use white biotechnology for the production of chemical building blocks from renewable raw materials such as sugar and plant oils. The deal allows for the exploration of potential possible synergies while providing Bota Bio capital to expand its development and production capabilities.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: “The founding members of Bota Bio have a wealth of experience in the fields of biotechnology and chemistry as well as in starting companies,” said Markus Solibieda, BVC’s Managing Director. He added: “Bota Bio’s highly innovative platform enables the acceleration of product development and contributes to sustainable and economical production. It has the potential to shape progress for the future of the chemical industry. With our investment in this promising young company, we are strengthening BASF’s activities related to sustainability and enhancing the group’s potential for innovation in the dynamic Asian markets.”
“In BASF, we have a strong industry partner by our side whose strengths optimally complement our own. We welcome this support in scaling up our processes and launching new products,” said Cheryl Cui, PhD, CEO of Bota Bio.
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