The EVERY Company, a trailblazer in biotechnology dedicated to developing protein ingredients through fermentation, has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining a patent from the European Union for its recombinant ovalbumin product.
This accomplishment not only enhances EVERY’s intellectual property (IP) portfolio but also marks its strategic entry into an important new market, building upon existing patents in other countries including the United States, Finland, Germany, Denmark, and the United Kingdom.
Patent Details and Applications
Designated as patent number 4017287, the newly granted EU patent provides legal protection for ingredient compositions that use recombinant ovalbumin.
This product effectively mimics the primary functional protein found in egg whites, which plays a crucial role in various food applications due to its properties of foaming, binding, gelling, and offering nutritional benefits.
The co-founder and CEO of EVERY expressed pride in achieving this international acknowledgment for their technology and product from influential patent offices in both the US and the EU—two major global markets.
He emphasized that this recognition is a testament to a decade of unwavering innovation and effort.
Broader Market Implications
The patent encompasses a range of ingredient formulations, including enhanced wild-type ovalbumin and variants derived from different bird species.
This opens exciting possibilities for application across multiple food products, such as baked items, plant-based meats, liquid and ready-to-eat egg products, meringues, and whipped cream.
This advancement builds on EVERY’s earlier US patent, numbered US 12,096,784.
With this acquisition, EVERY solidifies its status as a pioneer in bio-equivalent egg protein technology.
The CEO noted that their extensive IP portfolio affords them a significant advantage in the highly competitive alternative protein market.
He underscored the company’s role as a leader in the fermentation of egg proteins, their successful introduction to the market, and their aspirations to spearhead the mass production of recombinant egg proteins.
Future Prospects and Collaborations
Although EVERY has yet to secure regulatory approval in the European Union, the company is proactively pursuing collaborations with major industry players.
Earlier this year, they announced partnerships with Grupo Palacios and Unilever’s The Vegetarian Butcher, both of which are set to enhance their presence in the region.
Acknowledging the intense competition within the food technology and high-protein sectors, the CEO insists that EVERY’s robust IP estate has granted them a formidable first-mover advantage in the bio-equivalent egg protein field, positioning them over seven years ahead of their nearest competitor.
By securing this patent, EVERY strengthens its presence in two of the world’s largest markets: the United States and the European Union.
This development underscores the company’s long-held commitment to producing bio-equivalent egg proteins through cutting-edge precision fermentation.
The CEO concluded by stating that their journey is merely beginning and reaffirmed their dedication to leading the charge in the mass market for recombinant egg proteins.
Source: Vegconomist