In a bold move to revolutionize the production of high-value proteins, the Antwerp-based startup FlyBlast is harnessing the potential of genetically engineered black soldier flies to produce human insulin and other recombinant proteins. Traditionally, these proteins have been cultivated using microbes in large steel bioreactors, but FlyBlast claims that insects could serve as smarter and more cost-effective hosts, especially in the burgeoning cultivated meat industry.
During a recent interview at the Future Food-Tech summit in London, FlyBlast’s founder and CEO Johan Jacobs outlined the advantages of utilizing black soldier flies over conventional microbes. “At FlyBlast, we’ve genetically modified the black soldier fly to produce human insulin and other recombinant proteins and growth factors specifically for cultivated meat,” Jacobs explained. He noted that proteins such as insulin, transferrin, and various growth factors account for up to 85% of the costs associated with growth media for cultivated meat. By mass-producing these biomolecules in insect bioconversion facilities, Jacobs believes FlyBlast can reduce costs by up to 95%, effectively addressing a significant bottleneck in the cultivated meat supply chain.
The scalability and cost-effectiveness of farming black soldier flies are key factors in FlyBlast’s strategy. Jacobs emphasized that the existing infrastructure for insect farming is already designed to convert side streams into insect protein and lipids. “We’re just adding a level of technology and profitability,” he stated. The capital expenditure (capex) costs associated with producing insulin in black soldier flies differ significantly from those of precision fermentation using microbes. Moreover, the capex costs can be offset by the revenues generated from other insect products, creating a more sustainable business model.
One of the unique aspects of black soldier flies is their biological compatibility with the production of animal-derived proteins. Jacobs noted that insects have insulin-like pathways, making it easier for them to produce human insulin compared to yeast or bacteria. This biological advantage is crucial for FlyBlast’s mission to create affordable and accessible cell culture media ingredients for the cultivated meat sector.
However, targeting the cultivated meat industry does carry risks, especially since the market is still in its infancy and grappling with financial constraints. Jacobs acknowledged this challenge but expressed confidence in the potential of cultivated meat to become a mainstream industry. “Cultivated meat is going to happen. The question is when,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of timing for investors seeking returns. To mitigate risks, FlyBlast is also exploring other markets, such as the human insulin market, which presents significant opportunities.
While FlyBlast is initially focusing on cultivated meat, Jacobs highlighted the company’s technological platform’s versatility. “We can produce most animal-derived molecules, proteins, and even enzymes,” he said. This adaptability allows FlyBlast to offer genetic enhancement services, enabling the expression of molecules not naturally present in black soldier flies, as well as modifying existing traits to improve protein content and composition.
Despite the potential for human insulin production, Jacobs explained that the company is currently prioritizing the cultivated meat sector due to its immediate needs for affordable cell culture media. He acknowledged the complexities and costs associated with entering the human pharmaceutical market, particularly regarding regulatory approvals, which could require significant investment and validation processes.
FlyBlast’s choice of black soldier flies over other insects, such as fruit flies, is driven by considerations of scalability and reliability. Jacobs, who has a decade of experience in the insect farming industry, pointed out that black soldier flies are more suited for large-scale production, with existing facilities capable of generating significant biomass.
As FlyBlast progresses, Jacobs shared that the company has achieved stable breeding lines that express human insulin at high yields. The next steps involve extracting the insulin and collaborating with customers to identify additional molecules for production. With the intersection of biotechnology and sustainable food production, FlyBlast is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of protein sourcing, potentially transforming both the cultivated meat and pharmaceutical industries.