one.bio

High-Level Overview

One Bio is a biotechnology company that develops WholeFibers™, proprietary short-chain, anti-inflammatory plant fibers derived from agricultural waste, plants, seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains. These odorless, colorless, tasteless fibers enable high-dose incorporation into foods, beverages, supplements, and health products without altering taste or texture, addressing the fiber deficiency in modern processed diets that contributes to chronic diseases like inflammation, poor gut health, and metabolic issues.[1][2][3][5] The company serves food formulators, manufacturers, and consumers seeking microbiome-supporting nutrition for longevity and healthspan, solving the problem of unpalatable high-fiber additions and restoring "active fibers" stripped by processing.[1][3][5] One Bio recently raised $27 million in Series A funding in December 2024, led by Alpha Edison with investors including Leaps by Bayer and DSM-Firmenich, signaling strong growth momentum toward commercialization and scaling production.[3][4]

Origin Story

One Bio emerged as a spinoff from UC Davis research initially focused on understanding infant nutrition through fiber structures in plants, foods, algae, and bacteria. Founders, including CEO Matt Barnard, expanded this into a platform characterizing over 2,500 fiber structures to modulate the gut microbiome and immune function across life stages for healthspan and longevity.[1][2] The idea crystallized from recognizing that modern food processing removes beneficial polysaccharides, leading to chronic disease; their proprietary depolymerization process—originally an analytical tool—was scaled to produce invisible, bioactive oligosaccharides from waste sources.[1][2][3] Early traction included patents on the process and fiber compositions, plus in-house screening and third-party gut simulation tools, positioning them beyond discovery into scalable production.[1]

Core Differentiators

• Proprietary Depolymerization Technology: Chemically breaks down polysaccharides from diverse plants and waste into highly soluble, undetectable short-chain fibers for unprecedented high-dose use (5-10x more than typical), unlike traditional fibers that affect taste/texture.[1][2][3][5]
• Broad Sourcing and Scalability: Unlocks fibers from thousands of sources (e.g., seeds, grains, ag waste), cataloged via advanced characterization, enabling "precision prebiotics" tailored for microbiome health without flavor issues.[1][2]
• Bioactivity and Validation: Fibers support gut health, inflammation reduction, blood glucose regulation, mood/energy balance; tested via SHIME model gut simulator and high-throughput screening for claims-backed products.[1][3]
• Patented Portfolio: Holds patents on process and compositions, with pending IP, plus plans for a range of products integrated invisibly into everyday foods—no powders or pills needed.[1][3][5]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

One Bio rides the wave of microbiome therapeutics and functional nutrition, capitalizing on rising demand for gut health solutions amid GLP-1 drugs (e.g., Ozempic) and anti-inflammatory diets that emphasize fiber for sustained weight management and disease prevention.[4] Timing aligns with processed foods dominating 70% of calories yet causing fiber starvation, microbiome dysbiosis, and epidemics of metabolic/inflammatory diseases; their tech repurposes ag waste, supporting sustainability in food tech.[1][3][5] Market forces like consumer shifts to "natural" longevity nutrients, regulatory push for fortified foods, and investor interest in precision fermentation analogs favor them, influencing the ecosystem by enabling formulators to create "GLP-1-friendly" products and bridging biotech with CPG scaling.[3][4]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

One Bio is poised to disrupt nutrition with commercial launches of WholeFibers™ in 2025, partnering with food giants for seamless integration into beverages, snacks, and GLP-1 companion products. Trends like microbiome personalization, ag-waste circularity, and healthspan-focused investing will propel growth, potentially expanding to beauty/pharma via fiber's immune-modulating effects.[1][3][4][5] Their influence may evolve from ingredient supplier to platform leader, amassing a portfolio of patented fibers and health claims to redefine "whole food" nutrition invisibly. This UC Davis spinoff exemplifies biotech's return to nature, bridging the fiber gap to empower healthier, longer lives through everyday diets.[2][3]