Advanced Protein Technologies

About Advanced Protein Technologies

Advanced Protein Technologies (APTech) is a South Korean biotechnology firm established in 2001, specializing in process development and the manufacturing of bio-materials for the biopharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. The company's business model is centered on contract manufacturing and supplying ingredients, leveraging microbial metabolic engineering and precision fermentation technologies.

APTech has a significant focus on producing recombinant proteins for pharmaceutical processes and has developed a proprietary platform technology known as the ADpure System™. A major milestone for the company was the successful technology transfer from a Seoul National University research team in 2016 for the production of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), specifically 2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL). HMOs are complex sugars found in breast milk that support gut health and immune system development. APTech has industrialized this technology using GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) strains, positioning itself in a market with applications in infant formula and other food products.

The company operates internationally, having secured a strategic investment from the French bio-food manufacturer Roquette in 2019 to expand its global market reach. It has also achieved several certifications, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and FSSC 22000, and received U.S. Self-Affirmed GRAS status for its 2'-FL product. APTech's CEO, Shin Cheol-soo, has guided the company through the development and commercial production of HMOs, with plans to expand into pet foods and cosmetics. The company's goal is to transition scientific laboratory results into everyday life applications.