Brazil startup produces molecule in tomato to treat bad cholesterol

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Researchers at the São Paulo-based start-up Crop Biotecnologia have developed a platform to capture peptides (amino acid molecules that make up proteins) in tomatoes for the treatment of chronic diseases.

The researchers have already obtained a peptide for the oral treatment of cholesterol through the platform that inhibits the pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) – a molecule that degrades receptors in the liver responsible for the uptake of bad cholesterol (LDA) from the bloodstream.

The platform and molecule are in the patenting process and have already attracted licensing interest from two pharmaceutical companies and a venture capital fund.

“Through the discussions, we had in the last phase of participation in the PIPE Entrepreneurship Program, we were able to obtain two expressions of interest from the pharmaceutical industry and the signing of a term sheet [pre-investment agreement] with a venture capital fund,” said Lucas Ribeiro, co-founder, and chief scientific officer of Crop Biotechnology, in a presentation at the close of the 18th PIPE Entrepreneurship Program.

According to market studies, the cholesterol-lowering drug segment grows at 3% annually and is expected to reach US$37.7 billion in sales in 2027. The main drugs available today for this purpose are statins and monoclonal antibodies.

However, in discussions with pharmaceutical industry representatives and potential investors, the entrepreneurs noted that the platform for developing therapeutic peptides with oral delivery would have more value than just the molecule for treating high cholesterol.

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