Milestones

Our milestones are mapped out using a Gantt chart:

Initial goal of the company is successful construction and operation of the first commercial plant, which generates revenue. The primary requirement to this is the strain development of Pseudomonas putida that produces shikimic acid and cinnamic acid in high enough yield in order to generate positive cash flow. As part of the iGEM 2012 project, hypothetical design of the strain including host organism selection, schematic of the metabolic engineering, and biobrick design has already been completed. Next step is development of actual genetically engineered strain, which would take two to three years. This includes development of biobricks for desired genes either constitutively or regulated expressible, and knocking out undesired genes in the metabolic pathway from glucose to cinnamic acid. Proof of conceptual model and efficiency of the prototype strain will constantly be tested in pilot-scale bioreactor.By fourth year of the project, commercialized strain with aimed yield should be ready to be utilized in the first plant. Subsequent research on yield improvement and process optimization will constantly take place while first commercial plant launches and operates. The funding for strain development and construction of the first commercial plant will be acquired form angle investors and other seed funds.

While strain development is taking place, our company will take next steps toward the first plant. Contracts with paper recycling plants for cellulosic feedstock and site of the plant attachment, ideally with high waste release will be signed. Also our new technology for chemical production to potential customers, such as specialty chemical companies will be actively advertised, along with face-to-face contacts with the companies being made. When the commercialized strain is ready, primary sale agreement with buyers should be signed. Also, we will acquire patent in order to protect our unique gene construction for chemical production. Regulatory approvals for safety regulation will be acquired.

By the fifth year, the first commercial plant with bioreactors and purifiers will be built and attached to the first supplier paper recycling plant. Operational test will take place for at least an year, before any expansion. The ultimate goal is expansion of the plant across North America and worldwide.