Phileo by Lesaffre and Nasekomo aim to bring probiotics to insect farming through a long-term R&D partnership. The collaboration focuses on probiotic development for industrial insect production systems.
Phileo by Lesaffre, one of the global leaders in probiotics and functional ingredients for animal nutrition, and Nasekomo, a European biotech company specializing in industrial insect bioconversion, have announced a long-term strategic research partnership aimed at accelerating innovation in the rapidly evolving insect industry.
The collaboration is formalized through a multi-year R&D framework agreement covering joint research, co-development, and knowledge exchange between the two companies. According to a statement, at the core of the partnership is a shared ambition to unlock the full potential of microorganisms and insects working together to improve efficiency, scalability and profitability in insect-based production systems.
The first concrete project under the partnership focuses on the development and validation of a probiotic solution tailored specifically for insects. While probiotics are widely used and well-established in sectors such as poultry, swine, and aquaculture, their application in insect farming remains largely unexplored at an industrial and regulatory level. “Insects and microorganisms naturally function as a biological system. By selectively enhancing microbial communities with targeted probiotics, we can support more efficient nutrient conversion and more resilient production processes. Our collaboration with Phileo allows us to do that in a scientifically robust and industrially relevant way,” said Marco Tejeda, Nasekomo’s R&D Manager.
The companies reported that the initial probiotic research project represents the first step in a broader pipeline of potential joint initiatives. “By combining Phileo’s expertise in probiotics and microbial solutions with Nasekomo’s deep know-how in insect breeding and industrial bioconversion, the partnership exemplifies how cross-sector collaboration can not only drive innovation and strengthen sustainability but also support the profitability of next-generation food and feed systems,” said Marc Bolard, co-founder and CEO of Nasekomo; and Manuel Maire, CEO of Phileo by Lesaffre.
