Since the beginning of the year, ProTec Ingredia GmbH has been representing a new supplier of innovative and sustainable active ingredients: Transactiva is an Italian research company specialising in the development and production of complex pharmaceutical and bioactive molecules.

To mark the start of the collaboration we visited our new partner Transactiva in Italy. Transactiva is based in Udine, a city about 60 kilometres from Trieste in the Friuli region. The European research centre Friuli Innovazione, to which Transactiva belongs, is located on the outskirts of the city.

The proximity to Trieste suits Transactiva: Trieste has long been regarded as a city of literature, with famous writers such as James Joyce having spent time here. Today, Trieste is one of the most important research centres in Europe.

The history of Transactiva

Transactiva was founded in 2001 by Bruno Bembi, a doctor and expert in rare diseases and metabolic disorders (top centre in the photo, surrounded by his team).

The specialist in protein therapies developed an innovative biotechnological process for the production of complex active ingredients whereby plants are used as natural bioreactors. The process enables the ‘green’ production of proteins with a precisely defined composition and high efficacy. Together with two colleagues who have extensive knowledge of molecular biology and genetic engineering, he established the method of Plant Molecular Farming.

A few years ago, Bruno came up with the idea of using such active ingredients to treat skin disorders. He focussed intensively on the search for alternatives to topically applied cortisone, which can have harmful effects on the skin in the long term. His research results show that these special plant proteins offer promising approaches to alleviating dermatitis and acne.

Since 2022, Transactiva has been developing customised cosmetic active ingredients for skin care. A matching target protein is identified for each skin problem and then produced using the plant bioreactors. Transactiva always prioritises the efficacy and safety of the cosmetic active ingredient.

Plant molecular farming for bioprotein synthesis

During our tour of Transactiva's facilities, we were given a fascinating insight into the heart of the company. The plants used for the Plant Molecular Farming grow in protected spaces. Thanks to the controlled conditions inside, the use of pesticides is unnecessary.

The process of vertical farming begins with the germination of the tiny seeds of the Australian tobacco plant N. benthamiana. This plant, which is native to Australia, is not only valued as a medicinal plant, but also serves as an important model organism in research.

The seedlings are illuminated with LED lights for optimum conditions of growth. This explains the pink-coloured light atmosphere in the photo above. The plants develop over several weeks on sponges soaked in a nutrient solution. Soil is not used to prevent microbial contamination.

As soon as the leaves have grown sufficiently, they are ‘infected’ with the selected bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens, which is considered the gold standard in science. This bacterium is used as a vector containing a specific DNA sequence that is transferred to the leaves, causing the plants to initiate production of the desired protein. As the transformation is transient, the plant remains systemically unaffected.

The production of LenEasy®

We are now getting closer to the cosmetic ingredient: The biomass, i.e. the leaves of the Australian tobacco plant, which are responsible for protein production, is extracted first in a macerate. Subsequently, the pure protein desired is obtained from this biomass through several filtration and chromatographic steps.

The entire process is finalised by comprehensive quality control and residue analysis. Preservatives are also added to ensure the shelf life of the liquid active ingredient.

As explained by Molecular biologist Dr Caterina Deganutti from Transactiva, the polypeptide LenEasy® modulates the skin's inflammatory response to stress in a remarkably short time. This active ingredient acts like a soothing antibody in the skin and is both Cosmos approved and non-GMO.

In the future, we can look forward to more innovative active ingredients from Transactiva that combine nature, biotechnology, safety and the highest standards of research and efficacy.