Construction of Next-Generation Bio-Manufacturing Platform for High-Performance Amino Acid Complex ‘Glutathione’ Begins

Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung-ryul) announced that its subsidiary, BioCraft Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as BioCraft), has been selected as a new support provider in the advanced bio-new materials field for the “2025 1st Bio-Health R&D Project” organized by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and implemented by the Korea Industrial Technology Planning & Evaluation Institute (KEIT).

The project selected for BioCraft, a domestic microorganism-based bio-material specialist, is titled “Bio-process-based Mass Production Technology and Dietary Product Development of High-Antioxidant and Immune-Enhancing Amino Acid Complexes,” which will receive 57 billion won in government funding until 2029 for research and development.

The project aims to mass-produce glutathione-based amino acid complexes with antioxidant and immune-enhancing functions through a high-efficiency microbial fermentation process utilizing GRAS yeast, and commercialize them as functional dietary materials and products. In particular, the project plans to implement advanced bioprocessing technologies, including: ▲establishing a library of natural high-content yeast strains and developing genetically engineered strains; ▲introducing ultra-high-speed microbial improvement platform technology; ▲establishing a large-scale production process based on precision fermentation; ▲evaluating the antioxidant and immune functions of glutathione and verifying its toxicity removal efficacy; and ▲commercializing functional dietary ingredients based on high-content extracts and securing regulatory approval data.

This project is led by BioCraft as the main coordinating institution, with the National University Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation, the Jeonnam National University Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation, and a demand-side company (mid-sized enterprise) participating as joint research institutions. Each institution will take responsibility for core areas such as strain development, purification processes, functional evaluations, and verification of human applicability, thereby establishing a comprehensive research and development framework spanning from basic technology to commercialized products.

Kim Do-hyung, CEO of BioCraft, stated: “This national project selection marks a significant turning point in achieving the localization and technological self-reliance of glutathione, a strategic high-functional raw material.” He added, “BioCraft will leverage its precision fermentation technology and microbial-based synthetic biology capabilities to secure technological leadership that can drive the global market beyond domestic boundaries in the functional food, inner beauty, and biohealthcare industries.”

Meanwhile, glutathione is an amino acid complex with various physiological activities such as active oxygen removal, liver detoxification, immune system enhancement, and skin whitening, and is gaining attention as a core ingredient in the domestic health functional food and inner beauty markets. However, currently, most products rely on imports, and issues such as ingredient inconsistencies and quality imbalances between products have been consistently raised.

Through this project, BioCraft aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic bio-material industry by securing high-efficiency production processes and purification technologies for domestically produced high-functionality glutathione, thereby contributing to import substitution and the expansion of exports.