This scaleup is a critical step in bringing BioMara’s flagship ingredient, Thalivra fucoidan, to market.

The trials validated BioMara’s extraction process at Technology Readiness Level 6-7, (TRL6-7*) an industry benchmark for pilot-scale demonstration in a relevant environment. BioMara can now produce commercial grade fucoidan samples to meet increasing demand across the nutraceutical and wellness sectors.

“We’re seeing solid demand for research-backed fucoidans as an ingredient in nutraceuticals and wellness,” says Jay Dignan, CEO of BioMara. “Yet, supply remains limited especially in UK and Europe. Our successful scale-up at CPI demonstrates that BioMara can fill this gap with a robust process for high-quality product. Partners can now rely on us as a secure, UK-based fucoidan supplier.”

The process running a full equipment stack scaled from 500L pilot batches to 1,000L (1m³) without compromising product purity or performance. Compared to industry benchmarks, Thalivra achieved high-yields and high-purity without the use of harsh chemicals, positioning BioMara’s proprietary process as one of the most efficient, effective and clean commercial seaweed operations in the Western world.

This milestone positions Thalivra for market entry and reduces risk in future production roll-out with Contract Manufacturing Organisations (CMO) partners.

Thalivra is BioMara’s high-purity fucoidan extract, sustainably sourced from brown seaweed for application as a natural solution in gut health and immune support. Backed by emerging scientific evidence, Thalivra offers antioxidant, antimicrobial, enzymatic inhibition, and prebiotic functions making it ideal for integration into functional foods, nutraceuticals and other health formulations.

As a parallel track to scale-up, BioMara is investing in scientific validation through Project BioSWELL (Biotechnological Innovations for Optimised Seaweed Wellness and Economic Levelling-up) in collaboration with Abertay University, with support from Innovate UK Launchpads. This three-phase study will substantiate Thalivra’s bioactivity and bioavailability, a key requirement to boost customer confidence in this solution.

Stage 1

Simulated digestion using the INFOGEST Protocol: Applying an internationally recognised in vitro digestion model to understand how the target compound behaves through the human digestive process.

Stage 2

Gut absorption modelling assessing bioavailability using Caco-2 Cell Assay: Evaluating the extent to which Thalivra can be absorbed across the intestinal barrier, a key step in demonstrating efficacy

Stage 3

Ex vivo human microbiome response: Testing the effect of digested and undigested Thalivra on human gut microbiota, focusing on the production of beneficial short-chain fatty acids, which are well-established markers for gut health modulation.

With growing early interest and multiple commercial discussions underway, BioMara will showcase Thalivra and the co-product Seafibrex to global nutraceutical buyers and formulators at Vitafoods Europe (20–22 May 2025, Barcelona). Designed for health, backed by science, and made in Scotland BioMara aims to be a world leader in the production of seaweed extracts as marine wellness ingredients.

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