Weizmann Institute Scientists Make Revolutionary Discovery in Cannabinoid Biosynthesis

TEL AVIV– In a groundbreaking study published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Plants, Weizmann Institute scientists have uncovered a new way to produce cannabinoids using the Helichrysum umbraculigerum plant. Led by Dr. Shirley (Paula) Berman, the research team discovered an alternative, non-cannabis plant-derived production system that can produce highly efficient and flawless end-to-end cannabinoid biosynthesis.

This new system is a complete game-changer in the cannabinoid industry, as it enables the production of true water-soluble cannabinoids that can be used in beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Xinteza, a company founded in 2020, has already successfully applied this system to its super-efficient microbial cannabinoid bio-production proprietary platform.

What sets this system apart is its exclusive non-cannabis alternative novel IP, which includes a novel prenyltransferase enzyme that solves major bottlenecks in cannabinoid biosynthesis. Additionally, this system also includes a novel sub-set of cannabinoid-glycosylation enzymes and genes, which enable the production of rare and expensive pure cannabinoids and psychedelic active ingredients.

Xinteza operates in collaboration with the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Plant Metabolomics lab, and has signed a license with Yeda, the commercial arm of the Weizmann Institute. The company aims to revolutionize the production of complex high value compounds using innovative, highly efficient biosynthesis, and has already built an impressive portfolio of IP assets and patents, genes and enzymes, novel molecules, microorganism strains, and biosynthesis platforms.

Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd. is the commercial arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science, which is one of the world’s top-ranking multidisciplinary research institutions. The institute’s scientists are advancing research in various fields such as the human brain, artificial intelligence, computer science and encryption, astrophysics, particle physics, cancer, and environmental, ocean, and plant sciences.

This groundbreaking study is set to revolutionize the cannabinoid industry and will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and beverages.