Zymosense Receives Grant to Advance Phytase Measurement Technology

Zymosense, Inc., based in Ames, Iowa, has received a $92,000 commercialization grant from the NSF RuralSTAMINA Biomanufacturing Engine to advance its technology for measuring phytase activity. The funding will support the company’s efforts to develop a novel nanotechnology platform that provides more actionable information for phytase producers and users in the agricultural and biomanufacturing markets.

The grant, awarded through the NSF RuralSTAMINA Biomanufacturing Engine in Iowa and Nebraska, aims to reduce technical and commercial risks associated with the commercialization of Zymosense’s technology. Unlike conventional tests that only determine the presence of an enzyme, Zymosense’s platform measures the actual activity of phytase, offering more timely and relevant information for industry stakeholders.

According to Scott D. Nelson, CEO of Zymosense, "This award gives us the opportunity to convert function-based nanotechnology into a practical commercial solution. It also validates the importance of measuring what biology is doing, not simply whether a target is present. We are grateful to RuralSTAMINA for investing in new technologies that can grow from Iowa and serve global biomanufacturing and agricultural markets."

The project will focus on technical validation and commercialization activities for Zymosense’s phytase application. The work is expected to strengthen the company's path to follow-on partnerships, funding, and market adoption. The NSF RuralSTAMINA Biomanufacturing Engine is an initiative that aims to translate biomanufacturing and biomass-conversion innovation into scalable manufacturing, commercialization, and economic impact. Its Commercialization Seed Grant program helps technologies bridge the commercialization gap through validation, scale-up, and de-risking.

Zymosense, Inc. develops nanotechnology-enabled tools that measure biological function, providing researchers, manufacturers, and other users with timely, decision-relevant information about what enzymes and other biological targets are doing. This technology is expected to revolutionize the way phytase producers and users operate, leading to more efficient and effective agricultural and biomanufacturing processes.

The grant period is expected to support Zymosense’s progress in moving its phytase measurement technology closer to broader market adoption, ultimately benefiting the agricultural and biomanufacturing sectors. With this funding, the company aims to reduce risk, strengthen industry partnerships, and advance the commercialization of its technology.