Growth capital for Phaeosynt

The worldwide first animal-free antibody platform for sustainable diagnostics

Societal Challenge & Market

Diagnostic antibodies are the core component of immunoassay-based tests, derived almost exclusively from animal systems. In Europe alone, around one million animals die for this purpose each year. These production methods are not only an ethical problem, they are also economically fragile due to batch variability and supply-chain dependencies on animal-derived raw materials, and face growing regulatory pressure. The global market for diagnostic antibodies amounts to approximately €8 billion, growing at 8-10% annually, with around 1,000 diagnostics manufacturers worldwide currently sourcing antibodies almost exclusively from animal-based systems.

Solution

Phaeosynt offers the world’s first animal-free antibody production platform for the diagnostics market. The EU-patented process in diatoms combines animal-free production, batch consistency, and industrial scalability at high, reproducible quality as well as competitive prices.

• Transferable: The platform is transferable to all monoclonal antibodies, including hormone, allergen, and Covid tests.

• Market-proven: With hey mela, an animal-free, IVDR-certified pregnancy test available at leading retailers like dm and Rossmann, Phaeosynt demonstrates the commercial and regulatory market readiness of the platform technology.

• Impact: By 2031, the technology will prevent the suffering of more than 59,800 animals and save over 12.5 tonnes of CO2.

The team behind Phaeosynt

Phaeosynt was founded in Hanover in 2023 by Stephanie Pfeil-Coenen, Dr. Alina Eilers, and Stas Hans with a clear mission: to rethink antibody production by replacing animal models with a sustainable diatom-based platform. The interdisciplinary team combines scientific and technical depth in plant biotechnology with regulatory expertise in the IVD market and commercial strength in B2B sales. An advisory board of life-science and finance experts strengthens the team strategically.

Curious? Reach out to Kai Wagner for more information about this impact investment opportunity.