Vilnius, July 2025
Lithuanian-owned company Pentasweet plans to begin construction of a modern biotechnology production and research center at the Vilnius Innovation Industrial Park by the end of this year. The facility will focus on producing brazzein, a next-generation protein-based sweetener designed as an alternative to sugar and other sweeteners used in the food industry.
Entrepreneur and biotechnologist Danas Tvarijonavičius, with support from the National Development Bank ILTE, will invest €44 million into the project. The initiative is expected to create around 30 new jobs by the end of 2026.
A Next-Generation Ingredient from Lithuania – Benefits for consumers and Food Manufacturers
Brazzein is a naturally occurring sweet protein—about 1,500 times sweeter than sugar—extracted from the Oubli fruit native to tropical West Africa. Brazzein is becoming one of the most promising sweeteners due to its unique properties such as zero glycemic index, calorie-free profile, and neutral metabolic impact. This makes it especially relevant for those seeking to reduce sugar intake, eat more healthily, or manage diet-related health conditions.
From the beginning Pentasweet has focused on the quality and functionality of its‘ brazzein. The brazzein produced will be of very high purity and well-suited for use across various food products and formulations. Such high quality product can only be achieved thanks to a unique precision fermentation process developed by Pentasweet’s team of scientists. This process enables industrial-scale production and ensures an attractive price point compared to other protein-based sweeteners—testifying to Lithuania’s strong capabilities in biotechnology.
The company also emphasizes circularity and sustainability in production. Residual biomass from the fermentation process will be repurposed as fertilizer or animal feed, aligning with circular economy principles and minimizing waste.
“We believe the consumers and the food industry will welcome our solution, and that Pentasweet—and Lithuania— will play a meaningful role in advancing healthy nutrition worldwide” says D. Tvarijonavičius.
The first commercial batches of brazzein are expected by late 2026. Pentasweet’s initial market focus is Europe, with long-term plans for global expansion.
Strategic EU Co-Funding for Innovation and Science
The project is financed through the economic recovery plan “New Generation Lithuania” and the 2021–2027 EU Funds Investment Programme.
The total project value is €44 million, of which €28.4 million is co-financed by ILTE and the European Union.
Danas Tvarijonavičius welcomes the institutional support: “We are grateful for the trust and backing from ILTE and the Government of Lithuania. We hope that the official Major Project status will help accelerate key procedures.”
