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Presentation Title: Commercialising seaweed extracts Dr J Helen Fitton has more than 20 years of experience in research and development, with a focus on the commercial extraction and application of marine algal polysaccharides. She has an extensive publication and patent record and has delivered numerous presentations. Dr Fitton holds a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Manchester, a MSc from University College London and a PhD in Applied Chemistry from Aston University. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. For the last 23 years, Dr Fitton has lived in Tasmania and feels very fortunate make a home in such a wonderful part of the world. |
Presentation title: Commercialising seaweed extracts
As the world comes to terms with climate change there is a new focus on the role of seaweed to create resilience in food and feed systems. Where will increased volumes of cultivated seaweeds end up? The commercialisation journey from ‘proof of concept and a pile of seaweed’ to actual products will be illustrated with some real-world examples, with a focus on ‘bioactives’.
‘Bioactive’ seaweed extracts have markets in higher value applications- supplements, medical devices, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals- or even in agricultural feed supplements. Each sector requires a bespoke approach to overcome barriers to entry including regulatory requirements.
Protecting the IP is a core principle. Growers, processers, manufacturers and retailers all need to consider source, process, scaleability, sustainability, regulations and market. Choosing investors wisely, sufficient capitalization and minimizing risk are then critical to success. Should you commercialize solely the technology for a process, application or compound? Is your business fully vertically integrated from growing through to selling retail products, or in the business-to-business space? Case studies will be discussed.