Embion

About Embion

Embion Technologies SA, a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), was founded in 2016 by three chemical engineering scientists: Georgios Savoglidis, Sviatlana Siankevich, and Georgios Fengos. The founders met while studying at the University of Patras in Greece and shared a vision for a new approach to the bioeconomy. Savoglidis, the CEO, brings over 15 years of experience in biotech and chemical engineering, complemented by business experience in his family's SME. Siankevich, the CTO, has a background in environmental science and extensive postdoctoral experience at EPFL developing catalytic systems for sustainable chemical production from biomass.

The company operates in the industrial biotechnology and green chemistry sectors, focusing on upcycling industrial biomass side-streams into high-value products for nutrition and health. Its core is a proprietary and patented platform technology that uses a novel ionic catalyst approach for the efficient extraction and formulation of bioactive compounds. This technology significantly accelerates the development-to-production timeline, reducing a typical five-year process to just one year. Embion's business model centers on collaborating with industry leaders in sectors like food, feed, cosmetics, and materials to develop and commercialize these solutions. Revenue is generated through the sale of its high-performance plant-based bioactives.

Embion's flagship product is PREMBION®, a patented, GMO-free prebiotic derived from brewers' spent grains. This soluble powder is designed to improve animal health by modulating the gut microbiome, selectively promoting beneficial microbes, and offering an alternative to antibiotics in farming. The technology platform itself is a key offering, enabling partners to innovate responsibly by transforming their by-products into valuable ingredients for human nutrition, personal care, and animal feed. Since its founding, Embion has secured multiple rounds of funding, including a Series A round of CHF 4.5 million in 2021 led by Asahi Group Holdings. The company was also recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum.