Shiru and GreenLab Partner to Scale Sustainable Protein Production Through Novel Corn-Based Expression System

BERKELEY, Calif., and JONESBORO, Ark., March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Shiru, the leader in AI-powered ingredient discovery, and GreenLab, a pioneer in plant-based protein expression, today announced a strategic partnership to commercialize novel food proteins using GreenLab's proprietary corn expression system. This collaboration expands Shiru's manufacturing capabilities, complementing its AI-driven protein discovery with a high-yield, scalable manufacturing platform that extends beyond microbial and precision fermentation. This partnership enables a path to market for functional ingredients across bioindustrial applications, including sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based and chemically derived ingredients. The initial focus of the ingredient targets Shiru and GreenLab are partnering on is directed at CPG.

"This partnership brings together some of the best natural protein compounds with a highly productive agricultural production platform to manufacture proteins that are not only sustainable but also scalable and commercially viable," said Dr. Jasmin Hume, founder and CEO of Shiru. "While we continue to leverage precision fermentation in our screening efforts at Shiru, we've always acknowledged that scaling our ingredients can be done via microbes or crops. By integrating GreenLab's corn expression platform with our AI-driven ingredient discovery, we're unlocking an entirely new way to produce high-performance food proteins that nourish billions without exhausting the planet's resources."

A Breakthrough in Sustainable Protein Innovation

As demand for functional, high-value proteins continues to grow, food manufacturers require scalable, cost-effective solutions that outperform traditional methods. This collaboration unites two powerful technologies, Shiru's AI-powered protein discovery and GreenLab's corn-based expression platform, to create a next-generation production model for sustainable bioindustrial ingredients.

Key Benefits of the Partnership

• Faster, smarter ingredient innovation: Shiru's AI technology rapidly discovers high-performance proteins, which will be efficiently produced using GreenLab's corn system, helping bring sustainable ingredients to market faster.
• Scalable, cost-effective protein production: Producing proteins in a cultivated crop enables rapid, large-scale expansion across acres of cornfields with minimal upfront infrastructure investment. After protein extraction, the remaining corn integrates seamlessly into existing food, feed, and fuel supply chains, reducing waste and maximizing efficiency.
• Lower costs, higher yields: Corn-based protein production can outperform traditional fermentation, reducing production costs and making novel proteins more affordable for food brands.
• More versatile food applications: This breakthrough enables a wider range of ingredient uses, from novel sweeteners to clean-label additives and enzymes, expanding possibilities for CPG manufacturers prioritizing natural, healthy, and sustainable products... Scalable & sustainable: This approach produces more protein with less energy, using plants as natural biofactories to reduce environmental impact while ensuring a reliable supply.

Unlocking a Healthier, More Sustainable Future

This collaboration represents more than just scientific and manufacturing innovation. It demonstrates a shared vision for scaling sustainable, high-performance food proteins that meet real-world industry needs.

"We're fundamentally changing how the industry approaches protein production," said Maurice Moloney, president and CSO of GreenLab. "Corn is a powerful and efficient system for expressing proteins, and by working with Shiru, we're taking the next step in creating truly scalable, commercially viable, and sustainable ingredients for CPG companies worldwide."

The partnership will initially focus on optimizing protein expression in GreenLab's corn system for Shiru's high-value functional proteins, followed by scaling production to meet commercial demand. Both companies will work closely with food and beverage partners to accelerate adoption and bring these innovative proteins to market.

About Shiru
Shiru is transforming product innovation through AI-powered ingredient discovery, unlocking the next generation of natural, scalable, and high-performance ingredients. In 2024, Shiru's ProteinDiscovery.ai platform gained significant momentum, partnering with global leaders across food, beverage, skincare, and agriculture by accelerating ingredient innovation from years to months. Named a TIME Best Invention of 2024, Shiru's technology enhances the products consumers already love, developing natural, scalable proteins, sweeteners, bioactives, and sustainable fats that promote health and sustainability without compromising quality. Backed by investors like S2G Ventures, Nourish Ventures, and CPT Capital, Shiru is scaling commercial production of novel ingredients in 2025 while expanding into industries beyond food and beverages. With global partners, Shiru is leading the next wave of ingredient innovation, delivering scalable solutions that improve products and protect the planet. Visit shiru.com and ProteinDiscovery.ai for more.

About GreenLab
GreenLab's mission is to green industry through next-generation plant biotechnology. With GreenLab's platform, a cornfield is transformed into a factory of the future. GreenLab delivers on biotech's promise of next-generation proteins, end-to-end sustainability, and unlimited scalability. Currently, GreenLab has two patented proteins growing in corn that are already in commercial production and is seeking partners who need to improve the cost, scale, or environmental footprint of their protein biomanufacturing. Learn more at www.greenlab.com, or follow us on X as @GreenLabMfg or on LinkedIn.

Media contacts
Shiru
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GreenLab
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SOURCE Shiru, Inc.