Biosphere introduces UV-sterilized bioreactors to transform biomanufacturing

Biosphere, a biomanufacturing startup, has announced the development of a UV-sterilized bioreactor that seeks to reshape how sustainable chemicals, materials, and food are produced. Emerging from more than two years in stealth mode, the company is co-founded by Brian Heligman and Arye Lipman and supported by US$8.8 million in financing led by Lowercarbon Capital and VXI Capital, with additional backing from Founders Fund, GS Futures, Caffeinated Capital, B37 Ventures, and Also Capital.

“After more than two years heads down, I’m thrilled to unveil what we’ve been building,” Heligman shared on LinkedIn. “Our UV-sterilized reactor will slash the cost of producing abundant and sustainable chemicals, materials, and food at world scale.”

The biomanufacturing process—engineering organisms to convert raw materials into valuable products—is increasingly crucial in addressing global challenges, from creating sustainable food sources to developing life-saving medicines. However, the field has long struggled with outdated infrastructure, particularly the reliance on steam-sterilized bioreactors, a technology largely unchanged since the mid-20th century.

These traditional systems are expensive, complex, and require years of planning and significant financial investment to implement. For smaller companies, these hurdles often necessitate outsourcing production to contract manufacturers, which can limit innovation. Many contract manufacturers operate with older, less efficient infrastructure, further compounding the problem.

Heligman underscored the importance of addressing these barriers, stating, “Efficient biomanufacturing is the key to delivering resilient, sustainable abundance to 10 billion people, but current systems are prohibitively expensive and slow.”

To tackle these challenges, Biosphere has developed a UV-sterilized reactor that replaces the traditional reliance on steam with ultraviolet radiation and advanced materials. This approach simplifies the sterilization process, reduces infrastructure costs, and accelerates production timelines.

“We reimagined bioreactor design from first principles to create a system that fundamentally redefines how bioproducts are made,” Heligman explained. By removing the need for costly and energy-intensive steam sterilization, Biosphere’s technology not only lowers operational costs but also makes biomanufacturing more accessible for smaller companies looking to scale.

This innovation aims to modernize biomanufacturing and enable a decentralized model of production, where companies can produce products locally rather than relying on centralized facilities. Such a shift could have profound implications for sustainability and supply chain resilience.

“Our reactors lower the barriers to entry for bioproduct companies,” Heligman said. “This is about creating a future where scaling sustainable products isn’t just possible—it’s practical and cost-effective.”

Heligman’s journey to co-founding Biosphere began at the University of Texas at Austin, where he spent six years developing new battery technology. Despite initial successes and support from the Department of Energy, the dynamics of the battery market proved too challenging for a new entrant. The dominance of established players like BYD and CATL, combined with progress from competitors such as Sila Nanotechnologies, led Heligman to make the difficult decision to shut down his battery venture in 2022.

Reflecting on this experience, he turned his focus to synthetic biology, reconnecting with Lipman, who had identified significant inefficiencies in the biomanufacturing process. Together, they envisioned a solution that would not only address these inefficiencies but also open up new possibilities for sustainable production.

“We saw that the core problem wasn’t the science—it was the tools being used to scale the science,” Heligman noted. “Our goal became clear: create tools that make biomanufacturing accessible, efficient, and scalable.”

Biosphere’s UV-sterilized reactors have already gained interest from major stakeholders, including the United States Department of Defense. The company is collaborating with the department on projects to explore the reactors’ applications in large-scale production environments. This partnership highlights the versatility of the technology and its potential for widespread adoption across industries.

The reactors also align with the growing demand for sustainable production methods. By enabling companies to scale locally and efficiently, Biosphere hopes to drive a broader shift toward greener manufacturing practices. Heligman described the company’s mission as one rooted in leveraging technology to meet some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including sustainability and food security.

“Our UV-sterilized reactor is more than just a technological breakthrough,” Heligman said. “It’s a tool for creating the future we want—one that prioritizes abundance, resilience, and sustainability.”

Biosphere’s emergence from stealth mode marks a significant moment in the evolution of biomanufacturing. By addressing long-standing bottlenecks in the field, the company’s UV-sterilized reactors promise to empower smaller companies, accelerate innovation, and reduce the environmental impact of production.

The company’s financing, supported by a diverse group of investors, underscores the industry’s recognition of the need for transformative solutions. With its innovative approach and strong partnerships, Biosphere is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of industrial biotechnology.

“This is just the beginning,” Heligman said. “The tools we’re building today will shape the future of biomanufacturing and help address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”

As Biosphere moves forward, the implications of its technology could extend beyond cost savings and efficiency. By redefining how bioproducts are made, the company has the potential to unlock new opportunities for innovation and sustainability in industries ranging from food production to pharmaceuticals.