Triplebar

Triplebar is a biotechnology company founded in 2019 by biochemist Dr. Jeremy Agresti, who currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer. The company's name is derived from the mathematical symbol for equivalence (≡), reflecting its focus on creating proteins that are bio-identical to those found in nature. Dr. Agresti's background includes a Ph.D. in Biochemistry, postdoctoral research at Harvard University centered on droplet microfluidics, and leadership roles at Bio-Rad Laboratories and Amyris, bringing extensive experience in R&D and high-throughput screening technologies to the company.

The core of Triplebar's business is its proprietary Hyper-Throughput™ (HyTS) screening platform, described as a "microprocessor for biology." This system integrates hardware, software, biochemistry, and AI to miniaturize and accelerate evolutionary processes. It enables the company to test billions of mutations and screen thousands of samples per second, a significant increase compared to standard robotic systems. The platform works by encapsulating tens of millions of microbial strains, such as yeast, into microreactors on a chip, allowing for rapid analysis to find organisms or cell lines with desired traits. This capability allows Triplebar to develop and optimize biological systems for its partners much faster and more cost-effectively than traditional methods.

The company operates on a business-to-business model, partnering with companies across the food, nutrition, and biopharmaceutical sectors. Its revenue model is multifaceted, including direct sales of ingredients, co-development agreements with shared commercialization, and licensing of its intellectual property. Triplebar assists partners in two main ways: by developing an optimized host microorganism or animal cell to produce a specific target bioactive, or by improving a partner's existing production strain. Key partnerships include collaborations with FrieslandCampina Ingredients to produce bioactive proteins like lactoferrin via precision fermentation and with Umami Bioworks to develop optimized cell lines for cultivated seafood, starting with the endangered Japanese eel. These collaborations aim to bring down the high production costs that are a significant barrier in the alternative protein and cultivated meat industries.

As of late 2023, Triplebar had secured $20 million in a Series A funding round led by Synthesis Capital, bringing its total funding to over $21 million. This capital is intended to expand its product portfolio and scale its operations. The company serves a diverse client base, from large multinational corporations to startups, helping them develop everything from low-cost animal proteins and improved cell lines for cultivated meat to novel biologic drug candidates for human health.

Keywords: biotechnology, synthetic biology, precision fermentation, cultivated meat, biomanufacturing, Hyper-Throughput screening, cell line development, microbial engineering, alternative proteins, protein optimization, biologics discovery, sustainable ingredients, food technology, biopharmaceuticals, microfluidics, high-throughput screening, agricultural technology, drug development, Jeremy Agresti, FrieslandCampina, Umami Bioworks