Harnessing bacteriocins for biotech and health
Syngulon is a synthetic biology startup developing bacteriocin-based technologies for biomanufacturing and health.
We harness bacteriocins—naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides—and their immunity systems to create innovative solutions in three areas: antibiotic-free selection for microbial production, precision control of microbial contamination, and targeted antimicrobial therapies.
In March 2026, we announced a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Elanco Animal Health, a global leader in animal health, granting worldwide access to our proprietary bacteriocin-based microbial selection technologies.
Our technologies are designed to complement existing industrial and pharmaceutical platforms and are available to partners through (non-)exclusive licensing.
Syngulon operates through a unique “Startup in the Labs” model, combining its own technology portfolio with an international network of academic and industrial collaborators. This approach gives us access to specialized scientific expertise while keeping our organization focused, flexible and highly collaborative.
Our ambition is simple: to turn the natural precision of bacteriocins into practical technologies for biotechnology and health.
Bacteriocins
Bacteriocins are ribosomally-produced, genetically encoded antimicrobial peptides produced by a wide variety of microorganisms.
The history of bacteriocins begins with André Gratia in Belgium in 1925, concurrent with the discovery of antibiotics and bacteriophages.
With synthetic biology, it is now possible to revisit the code of bacteriocins in order to modify the spectrum of action and even make entirely new bacteriocins.
In Bacteriocins vs Antibiotics and Bacteriophages, the advantages of bacteriocins are described in the context of rising AMR (Antimicrobial resistance).
Syngulon is building PARAGEN, a collection of natural and synthetic bacteriocins.
Technologies
We harness the unique properties of bacteriocins to engineer innovative genetic technologies that address some of the most pressing challenges in biotechnology and health.
Our technology portfolio is structured around three core applications:
- Antibiotic-free genetic selection – sustainable alternatives to antibiotic resistance markers for recombinant protein production.
- Precision contamination control – advanced systems that actively protect industrial bioprocesses from microbial contamination.
- Next-generation antimicrobials – novel bacteriocin-based molecules offering targeted strategies against resistant pathogens.