Xampla is working to replace conventional plastics with plant-based materials that are biodegradable. The company aims to address environmental concerns by developing alternatives to single-use plastic packaging, using natural proteins derived from plant sources.
The founder of Xampla explained the motivation behind the company's work: "To solve some of the fundamental problems we face today in both human and planetary health."
Initially, researchers at Xampla sought to understand how certain proteins functioned and whether they could be modified or replicated for practical use. After discovering that these proteins could potentially replace plastics, the team realized that moving beyond university research was necessary. They began with market research, which indicated a strong demand for plant-based materials made from waste products.
Chief Technology Officer Marc Rodriguez dedicated an additional year in the laboratory to study how key plant proteins assemble themselves, as little foundational research had been done in this area. This work contributed to advancing Xampla's mission of developing sustainable packaging solutions.
Reflecting on their approach, a member of the team stated: "In my experience, the more you look into something, the more likely you are to understand how it works. And if you understand how it works, you can make useful progress."
When discussing work-life balance, they added: "You need a work-life balance otherwise you're not successful and happy in either. But that balance is different for everyone. I'm privileged to be involved in lots of really exciting activities and I wouldn't have it any other way."
Other companies mentioned include Transition Bio, which applies biology to drug discovery; Ride Therapeutics, focused on gene delivery solutions; WaveBreak Therapeutics (formerly Wren Therapeutics), which develops treatments for neurodegenerative diseases; and Fluidic Sciences (formerly Fluidic Analytics), creating tools for understanding protein interactions.