Marinova - a new wave in seaweed science

The seaweed science experts at Tasmania’s Marinova are global leaders in their field. AMT Editor Paul Hellard finds the new wave of fucoidans.

Developing unique advanced manufacturing technologies to extract a high value compound from seaweed has seen this innovative Tasmanian biotech carve a niche export market for Australia. Marinova now supplies some of the world’s most recognised companies in the pharmaceutical, nutritional and cosmetic industries with bioactive seaweed extracts.

Fucoidans (‘few-coy-dens’) occur in brown seaweeds. They are a class of natural compound that protect the seaweed plant from pathogens and other environmental stresses. Traditionally, fucoidancontaining seaweeds have been utilised in Asian cultures to address a variety of human health conditions ranging from abscesses and tumours through to inflammation and congestion. In recent years, global scientific interest in fucoidans has rapidly accelerated with close to 3,000 scientific papers now attesting to their beneficial effects on human health.

“High purity fucoidan extracts have become sought-after ingredients for formulators developing products targeting immune function, gut and digestive health and healthy ageing,” said Marinova’s CEO and Managing Director, Paul Garrott. “Marinova is the world’s only manufacturer of high purity, certified organic fucoidan with global regulatory acceptance. This achievement reflects the company’s commitment to utilising wild seaweeds of unsurpassed quality, the development of an advanced proprietary fucoidan extraction process, and a sustained investment in scientific research. It also reflects our willingness to embrace and develop new advanced manufacturing technologies.”

Manufactured in Tasmania, Marinova’s organic fucoidan extracts are the highest quality fucoidan ingredients available anywhere in the world. The company was clearly in the premium when they won Australia’s highest Innovation accolade in the Australian Organic Industry Awards in November 2022.

“Fucoidan is an innovative marine ingredient and ongoing scientific research continues to reveal the extraordinary health benefits that it has to offer,” said Garrott. “It is proof that naturally derived compounds play an important role in promoting and maintaining human health.” Speaking of the company’s proprietary extraction process, Garrott continued. “Our unique Maritech extraction process utilises advanced filtration technologies to separate and purify fucoidan without the use of harsh solvents and other chemicals typically used by other manufacturers. As a result of Marinova’s significant and ongoing investment in R&D, our Australian made extracts stand alone as the world’s only high purity, certified organic fucoidan with global regulatory acceptance.”

The introduction of a Japanese seaweed to Tasmania was the catalyst for Marinova’s inception over two decades ago. “Japanese freighters regularly visited Tasmania to collect woodchips,” added Garrott. “These vessels discharged their ballast water upon arrival in Tasmania – and with that came a range of introduced marine pests. One of those accidental introductions was the seaweed Undaria pinnatifida, commonly known as wakame. This brown seaweed was quick to thrive in our cool, pristine seas.”

So, Marinova began harvesting Undaria in Tasmania more than 20 years ago. “Fast forward two decades and that harvest continues - keeping an introduced pest in check whilst simultaneously supporting the export of high value seaweed extracts to more than 35 countries across the globe,” Garrott said. “Undaria is rich in the compound fucoidan and hence is one of the seaweed species at the centre of Marinova’s scientific research program. However, our harvest has expanded over the years and we also source the same seaweed from Patagonia - where it was also introduced - in addition to a second species of brown seaweed from Nova Scotia.” Marinova invests more than 20% of its gross annual revenue directly into its research program. “It’s long been a company priority,” Garrott explained. “It is essential that we support the efficacy of our fucoidan extracts with robust scientific evidence. Our team of distinguished scientists oversee a global research program, including human clinical trials, that attests to the bioactive properties of our unique extracts. Quality, natural, sustainably-sourced, Australian-made ingredients that are supported by an extensive dossier of scientific evidence are actually very rare, notwithstanding the fact there is very significant global demand.”

Marinova’s proprietary extraction process is key to the company’s international success. “Manufacturers of fucoidan have traditionally utilised solvents to precipitate the fucoidan polymer from crude extracts,” Garrott continued. “Fucoidans manufactured in this way may suffer from many shortfalls. Their quality can be inconsistent, their chemical integrity is often compromised and - most importantly - their bioactivity may be diminished. Marinova invested heavily in developing a unique green chemistry extraction process that overcomes all these issues. It is by virtue of this advanced manufacturing technology that we have become the world’s only supplier of high-purity, certified organic fucoidan with global regulatory acceptance.”

Marinova has created a high value export market for Australia. High purity fucoidan is a novel, efficacious ingredient that is increasingly attracting the attention of leading nutritional and skincare companies, as well as pharmaceutical and medical researchers. Marinova produces a range of different fucoidan extracts, each targeting specific health indications or product applications. Highly refined pharmaceutical grade fucoidans can command prices of up to $14,000 per kilogram.

"Marinova’s sustained focus on natural, high purity extracts that are supported by scientific evidence certainly resonates with those brands that share our commitment to quality and integrity,” said Garrott. “We genuinely believe this focus is essential for longevity in the healthcare sector.”

The need for transparency at all stages of the supply chain is an expectation that of course cannot be ignored. Marinova has aligned their sustainability practices with the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations and are now on the cusp of being a legitimate zero-waste, carbon neutral manufacturer.

The Australian Government is also investing in the growing wave of potential across the marine bioproducts industry. “Last year we saw the establishment of the Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre (MB-CRC),” said Garrott. “The MB-CRC represents more than 70 academic, government and industry partners, Marinova included, who are pooling expertise and resources to supercharge the country’s ambition to become a global leader in this field. The MB-CRC will see $270m invested into marine bio-industries research over the course of the next decade. Marinova expects enormous commercial opportunities to emerge from the research that it will be undertaking through the MB-CRC particularly in the areas of immune function, gut and digestive health, and healthy ageing.”

“Australia’s rapidly growing marine biotech industry is supported by the world’s third largest marine area. Current estimates suggest the country’s high quality marine bioproducts are on track to reach $1bn turnover by 2030.”

A significant capital expansion is now underway at Marinova’s headquarters. “We’re currently undertaking a $5m expansion of our manufacturing facility here in Hobart,” explains Garrott. “This will allow us to triple our fucoidan production capacity, install new advanced manufacturing technologies and to create a range of highly skilled jobs.” The expansion of Marinova’s fucoidan extraction facility is being supported by the Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative. The initiative provides businesses with funding to support projects that translate high quality research into commercial outcomes and supports businesses to adopt new technologies and improve their manufacturing processes. The project also received support through the Tasmanian Government’s Building Projects Support Program and Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Program.

Noting that 2023 marks Marinova’s 20th anniversary, the CEO added, “The future of Australia’s marine bio-products industry is very bright. Marinova is proud to have developed unique advanced manufacturing that has launched the country to the very forefront of fucoidan science. It’s exciting to think where the next 20 years will take us.” marinova.com.au

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