In a remarkable leap forward for biotechnology and nutritional science, Amplifye, a spinoff from UC Davis led by former Amyris CEO John Melo, has unveiled its pioneering enzyme designed to turbocharge protein digestion. The enzyme, known as P24, is set to revolutionize dietary practices and nutritional outcomes by enhancing the body’s absorption of nutrients and improving overall digestive health. The debut of this innovative enzyme represents a significant stride in the development of alternative protein processing methods. It offers a promising solution for optimizing protein digestion, which can lead to an array of health benefits, from improved blood glucose control to enhanced sleep quality. Amplifye’s groundbreaking enzyme is the product of advanced computational protein design methods. Its scientists, led by Dr. Wilson Mak, Dr. Justin Siegel, Dr. Glenn Nedwin, and Dr. Bruce German, focus on a family of proteases known as S53, which specialize in protein breakdown. The company, previously known as Digestiva, is on an ambitious mission to improve protein digestibility to such an extent that “more amino acids and small peptides are absorbable, delivering better nutrition.” The P24 enzyme is activated by stomach acid, commencing protein digestion early in the stomach, therefore potentially reducing digestive stress. This unique approach has attracted significant investment, including an $18.4 million Series A round last summer led by sugar cane processor Magdalena. John Melo, who took the helm at Amplifye in 2023, explains the enzyme’s impact on digestion: “What we’re trying to do is speed up the digestion process so that you get to a unique profile, both in peptides and amino acids. After we impact a protein with our enzyme, we see,
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