Transparency is key
Each project starts with a feasibility study, during which a techno-economic analysis is done, the freedom to operate is determined and potential engineering strategies are defined. The feasibility study results in an advice report on which microorganism with which pathway will be most optimal to continue development with, depending on the key performance indicators. During a go- no go meeting with EV Biotech and the client, the results will be discussed and a decision on whether and how to continue the project will be made. During this phase we believe that transparency is key, which means that if we cannot reach the desired theoretical yield or market price, we will advise the client not to continue with the project.

• Techno-economic analysis. Using EV proprietary algorithms, a calculated estimation on financial forecasts can be made, such as the cost price of the final compound and the breakeven point of the client.
• Technical patent scan. Extensive search will uncover the patent landscape in the targeted microorganisms and the targeted metabolic routes. 
• Engineering strategies. Making use of preliminary models, the different potential microorganisms and metabolic routes are studied and compared to find the most optimal options.

The synergy
Once there is an agreement to continue the project, the development phase starts. The development of the strain is where the synergy of the Dry lab and the Wet lab comes in to play. The computational modelling and simulations create a blueprint of the most optimal production organism, which is then translated to an engineering strategy. The Wet lab carries out these strategies and generates data that is fed back to the computational algorithms. In this way, the laboratory experiments verify and validate the model, optimising the model continuously. Iteration rounds are performed multiple times to get to the final optimised strain. During the whole phase, close contact with the client and regular updates prevent miscommunication and no sunk costs. 

Computational modelling and simulation
With the algorithms we can identify missing genes, white spots and technical gaps. This gives us an insight in the possible bottlenecks we might run into during strain development.  By understanding these bottlenecks before they present themselves in the process, we de-risk the process of development. This is all taken into account when creating an engineering strategy.

Experimental analysis
Results from the in silico algorithms are the basis of the experimental designs, only including the experiments with the highest key performance indicators. Experiments in the laboratory consist of genetic design, protein engineering, strain creation and testing. These experiments are done on increasing scales, in such a way that the final optimised strain produces the compound on industrial scale.        

Handover and support
Once the strain is optimised, the next phase is handover and support. When a microbial strain is handed over to the client, EV Biotech organises comprehensive tech transfer, offers consultancy and optional scale-up optimisation and support packages. 

The patent application, license or complete handover will also take place at this point. These options will already be decided on before the start of the development phase.