GRAZ, Austria and MILAN, Italy – myBIOS, a pioneering developer of methanol-free Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffii) fermentation technologies, and Olon, a leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, are announcing a strategic partnership to bring a greener approach to recombinant protein production.
By combining myBIOS’ innovative myPichia platform with Olon’s industrial scale expertise, both in fermentation and downstream processes, the collaboration represents a significant step toward sustainable, environmentally responsible, and scalable protein manufacturing.
Pichia pastoris has long been a key microorganism for producing high-value proteins, enzymes, and bioactive peptides. Traditionally, this process relies on methanol induction, a chemical method that, while effective, carries safety, regulatory, and environmental challenges. Olon has decades of experience producing Pichia-based proteins using these conventional methods. The partnership with myBIOS introduces a new, methanol-free approach that eliminates the use of toxic chemicals, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes environmental impact, all while maintaining high protein yields and industrial scalability.
Founded in 2020 in Graz, Austria, myBIOS builds on over 40 years of joint scientific expertise to develop recombinant proteins, including alternative proteins, industrial enzymes, and bioactive peptides using methanol-free fermentation. Its myPichia platform combines engineered strains, inducible promoters, and non-toxic inducers to achieve high protein titres efficiently and safely. By removing methanol from the equation, the platform not only reduces the ecological footprint of biomanufacturing but also simplifies regulatory compliance and enhances workplace safety.
“This partnership allows us to unite the full power of advanced strain development with industrial-scale fermentation and downstream-processing expertise. It reflects a shared commitment to transforming scientific potential into sustainable real-world impact. By bridging the journey from the first engineered strain all the way to a fully manufacturable product, we open the door to biotechnology that is not only innovative, but truly scalable and responsible”, said Claudia Rinnofner, Founder & CEO, myBIOS.
The collaboration goes beyond technology. It reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, demonstrating that industrial-scale protein production can be innovative, high-performing, and environmentally responsible. By integrating myBIOS’ green fermentation technology with Olon’s proven industrial capacity, the partnership provides industries with reliable, sustainable, and efficient solutions that meet growing global demand for high-value proteins across pharmaceuticals, food and feed, cosmetics, and specialty materials.
“This partnership strengthens our ability to provide customers with manufacturing solutions that are not only innovative but also sustainable,” said Andrea Conforto, S&M – VP CDMO Biotech, Olon, “It also allows us to bring environmental benefits to our own products and internal pipeline. Sustainability is at the heart of how we operate, guiding our decisions and driving continuous improvement across everything we do.”
Olon’s extensive experience, including over 60 years in microbial fermentation, more than 30 years in recombinant protein production, and 20 years in mammalian cell culture—combined with a total fermentation capacity of approximately 5,000 m³ and a robust European network of production sites, positions the company to implement sustainable biomanufacturing solutions at scale.
Together, Olon and myBIOS are making novel inducible processes for enhanced protein production using low or no methanol commercially viable, enabling enzyme- and protein-based manufacturing routes that are faster to develop, lower-risk to scale, and environmentally responsible. This partnership marks a meaningful step toward a future where high-value protein production is not only efficient and scalable but also aligned with global sustainability goals.
About Olon
Olon is an Italian company specializing in the development and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), combining expertise in chemical synthesis and biological processes. Headquartered in Rodano (Milan, Italy), Olon operates 14 manufacturing sites and 14 R&D centers worldwide, with over 2,800 employees. With decades of experience, the company provides end-to-end support, from early development to commercial manufacturing, while maintaining a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and quality.
For more information, visit www.olonspa.com.
About myBIOS
myBIOS is a biotechnology company headquartered in Graz, Austria. Using its proprietary, methanol-free precision fermentation platform, the myPICHIA platform, myBIOS provides efficient, scalable, and eco-friendly protein production solutions. With a team of 5-10 employees, the company supports customers in strain development and early-stage process development. Newly launched: the myBIOS Toolbox, available for customers’ own internal workflows.