The MIT spinout has raised $19.4m from unnamed backers, and the plant-based ingredient developer will use the cash to expand its production capacity.

Manus Bio, a US-based natural ingredient supplier spun out from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has secured $19.4m in a series A round backed by unnamed new and existing investors.

Byron Alsberg, partner at venture capital firm 415 Investments, has joined Manus Bio’s board of directors together with Raymond Nobu Chang, managing director of angel fund NXT Ventures, though neither entity was officially identified as a participant.

Founded in 2011, Manus Bio has commercialised a production technique for natural additives…