HTGF adds flavour to 4Gene’s seed round

4Gene, a Germany-based flavouring and fragrance supplier based on Technical University of Munich (TUM) research, has obtained a seven-digit euro (€1m = $1.1m) seed sum in a round backed by public-private partnership High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF).
Regional investment firms Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg and VC Fonds Baden-Württemberg both participated in the round together with Goldmann International.
Founded in 2017, 4Gene has devised a biotech manufacturing process for natural and synthetic flavourings and aromas for products including food, cosmetics and industrial technologies.
The core ingredient is a naturally-occurring molecule called aroma glucoside used by plants to store volatile compounds. When fashioned into man-made products, the glucoside is triggered by factors including enzymes, temperature and acidity to release its flavour or smell.
4Gene’s approach is intended to improve upon conventional flavourings and aromas that quickly lose potency upon storage and application. Potential use-cases include aroma glucoside-containing skin creams that gradually bind to the skin, and an industrial application which emits conspicuous-smelling aromas as a danger signal.
4Gene currently offers 26 fragrance and flavouring products in addition to custom-made aroma glucosides and product support for individual clients.
The approach was pioneered by Wilfried Schwab, professor of biotechnology of natural products at TUM’s School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, in partnership with researchers including Ralf Takors, head of the Institute for Biotechnical Engineering at University of Stuttgart.
4Gene will invest the seed cash in upgrades to its underlying production process and an upscaling of its product offering, as the spinout looks to accelerate its entry into key markets.
Anke Caßing, investment manager at HTGF, said: “The team has developed a novel technology that enables manufacturers of consumer goods to develop exciting new products – a deodorant that releases fragrances when they are most needed, a chewing gum that unfolds its taste over time.
“Many applications are conceivable, even cables that produce an early warning smell when overheated.”