Algosource: health through microalgae “We are focused on health benefits provided by microalgae”, explains Olivier Lépine, CEO of AlgoSource, who joined AlphaBiotech in 2004 beforefounding the consultancy firm AlgoSOurce Technologies (seebox). “For both human and animal health, which illustrates the evolution of our historical positioning in the sector of nutraceuticals and cosmetics”. he stage is set: AlgoSource’s guiding Phaeodactylum Tricornutum, T-Isochrysis Lutea principle is to control the entire val- - focused on their benefits for nutrition and cos- ue chain involving microalgae, from metics and the development of energy-efficient fundamental research up to the distri- extraction processes, www.magnificent-algae.eu), bution of finished products. An approach illustrat- Profuture (identification of high-protein ingredi- ed by Spirulysat™, a spirulina liquid extract highly ents derived from microalgae, www.pro-future.eu). concentrated in phycocyanin (potent antioxidant activity) and containing polysaccharides and ami- DIFFERENTIATION, A MUST no acids. “This phycocyanin opened us the doors While the microalgae sector proves to be in- to other business lines,” Olivier Lépine explains. creasingly competitive, “it is more than necessary In particular, on the prevention of non-alcohol- for playersto strongly differentiate themselves” ic steatohepatitis (NASH), for which AlgoSource says Olivier Lépine. “Thi is what we did throughs has filed a patent. This “totum” of microalgae, ob- Spirulysat™, our low-sodium marine magnesium tained through a solvent-free cold extraction pro- (Editor’s Note: the sodium is removed through cess was the subject of an animal model study our membrane technology)or through our re- conducted between 2016 and 2018 with, among search on Porphyrium.” Another key factor for others, a French research organisation for human development: “Having the technologies allow- health (Editor’s note: published in Nutrients in ing you to produce in a cheaper and more effi- 2019*) followed by a clinical study enrolling near- cient manner”. Integrated across the entire value ly 40 subjects conducted by Biofortis. “The dailyconsumption of two ampoules of Spirulysat™, i.e., 1,1M€chain - identification of strains, optimization ofcultures, preservation of molecules by means of the equivalent of 20 mg/d of phycocyanin, exerts Fundraising extraction, AlgoSource now aims to differentiate effects on the classic parameters ofNASH.” In addi- at the end of 2018, itself through an objectification process, “which is tion to its standardized and reproducible composi- another round a prerequisite for our clients”. In the B2B sector, of tion of molecules of interest, the liquid extract “has planned before course—for example, the collaboration with the proved to be 50-fold more active than the dry for,” the summer. Belgian company B-Blue which launched the first m explains Olivier Lépine, “and matches our desire, naturally blue drink based on fresh spirulina—but which is to offer efficacy”.Since the beginning of also with consumers: AlgoSource markets its pro- this year, AlgoSource has launched a Spirulysat™ ductions directly by direct sales. version that is fivefold more concentrated. In ad- dition to spirulina, AlgoSource also explores oth- FUNDRAISING UNDERWAY er microalgae - such as chlorella, with a liquid To finance its industrial development on the one extract, and Porphyridium. A recently rewarded in- hand, and clinical studies on the other hand, vestment into research: located in the Nantes re- AlgoSource is considering a fundraising which gion, the company is the winner of the Recovery should be completed by summer (Editor’s note: Plan in the Industry of the Future category with its at the end of 2018, the company had successful- Porphycare project. “The Porphyridium microal- ly led a first fund-raising campaign amounting to ga contains sulphated polysaccharides - interesting €1.1 M). This should also enable it to expand its for their immune defence mechanisms and protec- international footprint (the company is already tion against viruses”.AlgoSource also participates present in North America, Germany and Italy). • in European projects: Magnificent (a study of three seawater microalgae - Nannochloropsis Oceanica, Nutrients 2019, 11(1), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11010194 stneidergnI — stneidérgnIEAGLAORCIM - SEUGLAORCIM- 68 -