Gainesville, Florida-based BioTork is a strain development company specializing in the improvement of existing bioconversion processes, and the creation of new ones.

With a focus on the microorganism factories, or the fermentation “software” rather than the industrial fermentation equipment or “hardware”, the company can optimize any type of cell grown on any type of substrate under conditions that mimic industrial parameters. BioTork’s technology can improve the fermentation capabilities of both GMO and non-GMO organisms, giving them the potential to enter markets that demand either or both approaches.


“BioTork is mastering the art of fermentation,” said Eudes de Crecy, BioTork, LLC, Chief Executive Officer. “We can intervene in any market where a microorganism is used to manufacture the desired end- product, and achieve higher yields and shorter fermenter retention times to produce various commodities. Most importantly, we can use our technology to improve the robustness and performance of strains used for fermentation, which tend to be the greatest obstacles encountered in the industry.”

BioTork works to address the issue confronting the renewable chemicals industry of what its calls the ‘robustness problem’, or the failure of biocatalysts to perform well at scale. The solution to this problem is BioTork’s proprietary evolutionary optimization technology, which allows the bioconversion of low-value abundant raw biomass streams into high value bio-based chemical commodities, using an efficient fermentation process.

“BioTork is forging a path to sustainable, green chemistry while improving industrial bioconversion processes,” said Jackson Streeter, MD, Institute Chief Executive Officer. “Rather than using standardized approaches to solve diverse industrial challenges, the company is providing tailored microbial solutions that allow for greater efficiency and higher yields.”

Formed by the Florida Legislature in 2007, the Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with the technology licensing and commercialization offices of Florida’s state universities and private research institutions to leverage a $2.3B+ research base and form investable companies that create clean jobs in new industries that are driving the global economy. With funding from the State of Florida through the Department of Economic Opportunity, and through the generosity of mentors, advisors and donors, the Institute provides company building services, and seed funding through the Florida Technology Seed Capital Fund, to promising Florida startups. Fifty-eight companies have been funded to date, and the Institute’s overall economic impact through June 30, 2016 was $630 million.

http://www.biotork.com