Publication date: 12-11-2026

Photo: Herwig Bachmann (right) and Jeroen Koendjbiharie (left), VU Amsterdam. 

Developing bacterial strains in laboratories is costly and is done manually. Often, a single researcher has to work with the bacterial cultures in a lab for three months, seven days a week. Microbiologists Herwig Bachmann and Jeroen Koendjbiharie from VU University Amsterdam have developed a technology that allows the microorganisms to be left undisturbed for weeks or months. According to the researchers, this can reduce labour costs by up to 90 per cent. 

This makes it easier to carry out experiments on a larger scale: and that’s commercially attractive! As bioplastics, enzymes and the chemicals that replace petroleum are increasingly produced by bacteria, Evoducta’s innovation marks a significant milestone in the transition to a bio-based economy. It also brings the technology within reach of start-ups, for example. 

CTO Jeroen Koendjbiharie gives an inspiring example of Evoducta’s innovation: “Micro-organisms play a key role in industrial fermentation. By accelerating the development of such fermentation processes, we can contribute to a more sustainable and healthier society in terms of the protein transition in our diet.” 

There is still a great deal of development to be done: “The technology still needs to be further developed into a minimum viable product (MVP). To achieve this, a number of technical obstacles still need to be overcome. We have recently been awarded a new grant to make this possible (NWO Demonstrator),” says Jeroen. 

Dalila el Ouarrat, Business Developer at IXA, outlines the broader perspective of the new partnership with BigCircle: “I am proud to have been able to support Evoducta as it transitions from a promising technology emerging from scientific research to a business with commercial potential. With BigCircle on board, Evoducta gains the expertise needed for its next phase of growth, with a partner that invests in sustainable solutions.”