(424g) [Invited Keynote] Accelerating the Bioeconomy: Leveraging Government Capabilities to Achieve Capital-Light Scale-up and Commercialization

Developing biomanufacturing processes from laboratory proof-of-concept to commercial reality requires substantial commitment of time, labor, and capital, necessitating investor patience over a multi-year horizon. While in-house piloting was once standard practice in the bioprocess industries, a network of flexible and distributed capabilities now allows new ventures to reach scale with minimal capital invested in pilot or demonstration facilities. At the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU) within Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, we have partnered with 60+ small and large companies to accelerate commercial deployment via proof-of-concept demonstration, process development, process intensification, and scale-up of emerging fermentation and downstream processing technologies. In addition to physical capabilities, government partnerships can provide access to technical expertise, non-dilutive funding, and networking opportunities unavailable in the private sector. By enabling pilot scale validation at early stages of process development, access to these capabilities enables rapid de-risking, identification of key technical bottlenecks, and generation of product samples necessary to drive further stages of private investment. To demonstrate the potential of such partnerships, we will discuss illustrative case studies in which small companies have leveraged ABPDU resources as part of a broader suite of capabilities to achieve scale while minimizing capital outlays and investor risk. In addition, we will discuss strategies to overcome common technical and logistical challenges encountered during technology transfer and early-stage technology scale-up. Finally, we will discuss ongoing trends and critical needs in the rapidly evolving bioprocess development landscape.