Sumitomo Chemical to harness Nuritas’ AI peptide discovery tech to feed ballooning population

08 Apr 2021 --- Sumitomo Chemical will use Nuritas’ AI and DNA analysis technology platform to help develop products aimed at sustainably supporting the food production systems needed to feed the growing global population. 

The financial terms of the multi-year partnership have not been disclosed. 

Nuritas’ technology predicts, unlocks and validates highly efficacious peptides from plant sources. Sumitomo Chemical will then validate the efficacy of these new discoveries within field tests before commercializing the ensuing products globally.

“The global population is expected to reach close to ten billion by 2050. Feeding the world without destroying it is a fundamental challenge faced by industry, and we are delighted to be partnering with Sumitomo Chemical to be part of the solution,” says Neil Foster, head of strategic partnerships at Nuritas.

Sumitomo Chemical will be part of Nuritas’ process, which spans from prediction to finished product.

Faster and more accurate
Nuritas uses AI technology called NπΦ – pronounced en-pi-fy or Nuritas Peptide Finder – to quickly and accurately interrogate its vast library of natural molecules to identify compounds. The compounds are touted as exceeding industry standards for the management and treatment of a broad range of health conditions. 

The company illustrates the need for this technology – which is ten times faster and 600 times more accurate than traditional methods – with the example of an apple, which contains more molecular data than all social media content combined. 

On average, plants and other food sources contain more than 30 billion peptides.

Previous areas Nuritas has worked in include immunity, sleep, food preservation, gut health, fibrosis, heart health, metabolism, skin health and muscle health, with the latter three products now being available on the market. 

In September, it discovered natural rice-based peptides that impact inflammation and improve physical test results in an elderly population.

The company’s previous partnerships include Stonehaven Incubate, Maastricht University, Pharmavite and BASF. 

Part of Sumitomo’s larger strategyA single apple contains more molecular data than all social media content combined.
“Partnering with Nuritas aligns with our strategic focused plan and will allow us to create and deliver sustainable solutions in food production with our experience and expertise in commercialization,” says Isao Kurimoto, executive officer of research planning and coordination at Sumitomo Chemical.

Sumitomo Chemical’s plan’s four focused areas are Healthcare, Reducing Environmental Impact, Food and ICT.

The chemical company has a major presence in Japan and offers a diverse range of products globally in the fields of petrochemicals, energy and functional materials, IT-related chemicals and materials, health and crop science products, and pharmaceuticals.

Irish businesses in Japan
Mary Kinnane, Enterprise Ireland’s Asia Pacific regional director, says that this partnership further strengthens the reputation of Irish business in Japan.

“Japan is a market that is open to and receptive of increasingly sophisticated and ambitious Enterprise Ireland supported companies,” she states. 

In February, exhibitors at Vitafoods Asia Digital Week flagged major regional opportunities for companies able to consider legislative variation. 

By Katherine Durrell