Molecular Sustainable Solutions, an innovative spin-off company originating from the Universitat Jaume I of Castelló (UJI), has recently secured a significant investment of €186,000 from BeAble Capital, a leading European Science Equity fund dedicated to supporting groundbreaking scientific technologies. This strategic financial boost marks a pivotal milestone in the company’s journey to commercialize its advanced disinfection and sterilization technologies, which promise to revolutionize pathogen control in critical sectors globally.
At the core of Molecular Sustainable Solutions’ breakthrough is a novel peroxycarboxylic acid formulation, distinguished by its composition from simple, cost-effective, and non-toxic reagents that are widely available in the chemical market. Unlike conventional disinfectants, this proprietary agent exhibits microbicidal efficacy up to 60 times greater than existing top-performing sterilizing chemicals. Such enhanced potency is particularly crucial in the fight against resilient and hazardous microorganisms, including Candida auris, a notoriously virulent fungus often dubbed the “killer fungus” due to its association with severe hospital outbreaks worldwide.
This innovative disinfection technology is the product of years of rigorous research spearheaded by the Supramolecular and Sustainable Chemistry Group at UJI’s Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry. Originally led by Professor Santiago Luis and now coordinated by Eduardo García Verdugo, this research team played an instrumental role in the discovery and subsequent patenting of the sterilization agents that underpin Molecular Sustainable Solutions. The spin-off, officially incorporated in 2023, embodies the successful transfer of cutting-edge academic research into transformative industrial solutions.
The technology’s efficacy is not only evident in its ability to neutralize Candida auris but extends to a range of other pathogens that pose significant risks in public health, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food production environments. Its fast-acting nature and minimal requirement for complex equipment or corrosive chemicals render it especially suitable for sectors where pathogen control is paramount. For instance, bacteria such as Listeria and Salmonella are responsible for approximately 180 health alerts annually in Spain alone, underscoring the urgent need for more effective and sustainable sterilization methods.
Based at Espaitec, the UJI Science and Technology Park, Molecular Sustainable Solutions distinguishes itself as the first spin-off from this public university in Castelló to receive backing from a venture capital firm, signaling a growing recognition of the commercial potential embedded in Spanish deep science ventures. This achievement underscores the critical role of public-private collaborations in driving innovation and translating academic research into impactful technologies.
Almudena Trigo, founder and chair of BeAble Capital, emphasizes the importance of investing in sectors that address existential environmental and health challenges. According to her, targeting disruptive technologies capable of generating profitable, sustainable impact is essential for positioning Spain and Europe at the forefront of a necessary reindustrialization process. This investment by BeAble Capital aligns with these strategic priorities, supporting technologies that integrate green chemistry principles with immediate commercial viability.
A key aspect of Molecular Sustainable Solutions’ sterilization agents is their environmental profile. The compounds developed are not only highly effective but also formulated with sustainability in mind, eliminating reliance on corrosive or toxic substances traditionally used in disinfection. This green chemistry approach reduces ecological footprints, addressing growing regulatory and societal demands for safer, more environmentally responsible industrial processes.
The technology’s scalability potential, bolstered by this latest investment, opens avenues for rapid market entry and broader adoption across industries. Molecular Sustainable Solutions aims to leverage this funding to accelerate the maturation of its platform, refine manufacturing processes, and expand its product portfolio to meet various industrial needs. By doing so, the company expects to contribute substantially to global health protection initiatives while promoting sustainable industrial practices.
Beyond disinfection, the research group associated with Molecular Sustainable Solutions continues to pioneer novel applications with wide-reaching implications. Their ongoing projects include technologies capable of detecting allergens on food contact surfaces, addressing critical safety concerns in the food production chain. They also hold patents related to the transformation of carbon dioxide into high-value chemicals and methods for recycling plastic waste, such as polyurethane foams, exemplifying their commitment to advancing the circular economy through chemistry.
Carlos Estévez, CEO and co-founder of Molecular Sustainable Solutions, highlights the strategic importance of this capital infusion, noting that it represents more than just financial support; it is a powerful endorsement of the company’s vision to save lives and reduce environmental impact globally. He underscores the unique position offered by this sterilization agent, which for the first time in over 150 years, aligns with the comprehensive criteria demanded by both market needs and stringent health and environmental regulatory frameworks.
This breakthrough thereby not only elevates Spain’s position in the European landscape of patent innovation but also shines a spotlight on the country’s emerging prominence in green chemistry and biotechnologies. Despite Europe’s growing prominence in disruptive technological patents, Spain’s industrial investment levels in these sectors have yet to fully match this innovation output—a gap potentially bridged through initiatives like Molecular Sustainable Solutions.
The success story of Molecular Sustainable Solutions exemplifies how public sector research combined with venture funding can create high-impact solutions with tangible benefits for society, industry, and the environment. It represents a blueprint for the transformation of scientific knowledge into market-ready technologies capable of addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from healthcare-associated infections to environmental sustainability.
By integrating advanced molecular chemistry principles with pragmatic industrial application and environmental stewardship, Molecular Sustainable Solutions is poised to set new standards in sterilization technology. The company’s progress demonstrates the critical importance of deep science investments in nurturing breakthroughs that can facilitate healthier, safer, and more sustainable futures globally.
Subject of Research: Advanced sterilization and disinfection technologies based on peroxycarboxylic acid formulations targeting resistant pathogens such as Candida auris, alongside broader innovations in green chemistry and sustainable industrial applications.
Article Title: Spanish Spin-Off Molecular Sustainable Solutions Secures Investment to Revolutionize Sterilization Technology
News Publication Date: Not specified
Web References: https://www.proyectokryptonita.com/
Image Credits: Universitat Jaume I of Castellón
Keywords
Sterilization technology, disinfection, peroxycarboxylic acid, Candida auris, molecular sustainable solutions, green chemistry, deep science, venture capital, health safety, pathogen control, pharmaceutical sterilization, food safety, circular economy
