What if the future of chemistry didn’t rely on cells or even nature itself to create the world’s most valuable molecules?
In this episode of Lightning RX, host Colette Nataf sits down with Michael Heltzen, CEO of eXoZymes Inc. (Nasdaq: EXOZ), to explore how his company is redefining biomanufacturing through exozymes, a revolutionary technology that uses AI-driven evolution to create natural products at an industrial scale, without harvesting from nature.
Michael explains how eXoZymes’ cell-free biomanufacturing platform allows them to “brute-force evolution,” running what would take nature a billion years in just a week. By combining artificial intelligence with enzymatic chemistry, the company can produce rare and valuable natural compounds—like the metabolism-boosting molecule NCT and the fragrance powerhouse Santaline that were previously inaccessible due to scarcity or cost.
From AI-guided protein optimization to sustainable alternatives to petrochemicals, Michael’s work represents a new frontier in synthetic biochemistry, one that merges environmental responsibility, efficiency, and scientific creativity.
What You’ll Learn:
- How eXoZymes is reinventing biomanufacturing through cell-free enzyme systems
- Why AI models like AlphaFold are unlocking rapid protein optimization
- The science behind producing rare natural compounds like NCT and Santaline
- How enzyme optimization accelerates evolution from millennia to minutes
- The potential of biomanufacturing to replace petrochemicals and protect ecosystems
- Why scarcity is no longer the barrier to accessing nature’s rarest molecules
- How eXoZymes balances scientific innovation with commercial scalability
- Michael’s advice for founders on choosing the right advisors and staying focused amid conflicting guidance
💡 Golden Nugget:
“AI and enzymes are teaching us that evolution isn’t just a process, it’s a platform we can engineer for sustainable abundance.”
Connect with Michael Heltzen
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelheltzen
- Company: https://exozymes.com/
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