eXoZymes Achieves Impressive Production Metrics in NCT Pilot Run

Pilot run demonstrates scalability and robustness of exozyme-based biomanufacturing process

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:07pm

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eXoZymes Inc., a pioneer of AI-enhanced enzymes, has reported detailed results from its recently completed 100-liter pilot production run of N-trans-caffeoyltyramine (NCT). The pilot run achieved approximately 99% reaction conversion, 90% isolated yield, and 535 grams of NCT at 99.6% pharma-grade purity. These metrics demonstrate the scalability and robustness of eXoZymes' exozyme-based biomanufacturing process, which the company says is a fundamentally different and more scalable approach compared to existing methods.

Why it matters

NCT is an interesting naturally occurring compound that has attracted scientific attention for its potential applications in lipid metabolism and energy utilization pathways. However, NCT has historically been difficult to supply at scale in purified form due to challenges with existing production methods. eXoZymes' exozyme-based process avoids these limitations, enabling direct production of highly pure NCT without co-production challenges.

The details

The pilot production was executed by Cayman Chemical, an external partner, using a written protocol and demonstrating the transferability and operational robustness of the exozyme-based process. The results expand upon a previously announced 100x scale-up milestone and provide new data showing high reaction conversion, material recovery, and product quality at a commercially relevant scale.

  • The pilot run was recently completed in January 2026.

The players

eXoZymes Inc.

A pioneer of AI-enhanced enzymes that can transform sustainable feedstock into nutraceuticals and new medicines.

Paul Opgenorth, PhD

Co-founder and VP of Development of eXoZymes.

Adrian Brückner, PhD

Team Lead of Biosolutions and R&D Services at Cayman Chemical.

Cayman Chemical

A company that helps make research possible by providing products and services to scientists worldwide, including expertise in synthesis, purification, and characterization of biochemicals.

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What they’re saying

“What makes this initial NCT pilot run profound is how counter to conventional experience these results are. In most biological systems, performance typically degrades as you scale - reactions become harder to control, yields drop, and variability increases. With our AI-enhanced enzymes - exozymes - we see the opposite trend.”

— Paul Opgenorth, PhD, Co-founder and VP of Development of eXoZymes

“What stood out to me in this run was not just the impressive final performance numbers, but how straightforward and reliable the process proved to be under real operating conditions. The reaction was executed using a written, step-by-step protocol by an external team, and it performed exactly as intended.”

— Adrian Brückner, PhD, Team Lead of Biosolutions and R&D Services at Cayman Chemical

What’s next

eXoZymes expects 2026 to focus on establishing a commercial NCT supply chain, expanding production volumes, forming strategic partnerships, and finalizing commercial technology-transfer packages. These efforts are expected to focus on improving manufacturing efficiency and scalability as eXoZymes and NCTx evaluate pathways toward sustainable commercial economics.

The takeaway

eXoZymes' exozyme-based biomanufacturing process has demonstrated the ability to produce high-purity NCT at a commercially relevant scale, overcoming the limitations of traditional production methods. This breakthrough represents a significant step forward in the development of sustainable and scalable biosolutions for the production of valuable natural compounds.