BRIGHT seeks to expedite the development of biological solutions to bolster the bio-based economy.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 18, 2024 — Many daily products and processes rely on fossil fuels. To advance the green transition, we must improve bioproduction—biologically based production using renewable resources to replace fossil fuels and materials. These are also called biosolutions.

This is the goal of the new Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT) at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). BRIGHT aims to generate knowledge and solutions for efficient bioproduction, significantly contributing to a greener society.

“BRIGHT will unite academic and industrial partners to harness bioproduction. This will help us develop scalable solutions to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance Denmark’s bio-based industry,” says Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, which is providing up to DKK 1.05 billion over seven years.

Harnessing the power of bioproduction
BRIGHT will concentrate on three key areas:

• Sustainable materials
• Microbial foods
• Microorganisms for net-zero agriculture

The objective is to develop and scale innovative biosolutions, creating sustainable, competitive alternatives to fossil-based products and processes to significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

At BRIGHT, DTU researchers will collaborate with researchers from other Danish and international universities, and with industry. A key feature of BRIGHT will be a “mission enabler” to promote and test the scalability of promising projects.

DTU is a Danish biotechnology leader with a growing international presence. This makes DTU an ideal center for advancing and scaling bioproduction in Denmark, a role BRIGHT will fill.

“BRIGHT will strengthen DTU’s position in fundamental biotechnology and enhance collaboration across the university and with external partners, especially companies. We will also have a stronger foundation for educating specialized engineers crucial for the bioeconomy,” says Anders Bjarklev, President of DTU.

Focused on developing scalable solutions
DTU currently houses the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, which has made global contributions to microbial cell factories—essential for bio-based production. BRIGHT will build on this expertise, along with other DTU strengths. As BRIGHT funding is phased in, activities at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability will transition to BRIGHT or be phased out.

“The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability has excelled and helped establish DTU as a biotechnology leader. I commend its innovation culture and ability to create spinoff companies. With BRIGHT, the Novo Nordisk Foundation and DTU aim to concentrate on scalable solutions and accelerate their commercialization with industry,” explains Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen.

BRIGHT will commence operations in 2025.

About the Novo Nordisk Foundation
Founded in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is a corporate foundation with philanthropic goals. Its vision is to improve human health and societal and planetary sustainability. Its mission is to advance research and innovation in preventing and treating cardiometabolic and infectious diseases, and to develop knowledge and solutions for a green societal transformation.

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