SILICOLIFE LDA

Their core work

SilicoLife is a Portuguese biotech SME specializing in computational tools for designing microbial cell factories — essentially, software that helps engineers reprogram microorganisms to produce valuable chemicals. Their platform combines bioinformatics, metabolic modeling, and AI to accelerate the design-build-test cycle in synthetic biology. They bridge the gap between computational prediction and wet-lab implementation, enabling faster development of bio-based production routes for natural products, biofuels, and specialty chemicals.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2017), SilicoLife participated in training networks and collaborative research platforms (SyMBioSys, DD-DeCaF, PAcMEN), building foundational expertise in metabolic modeling and bioinformatics as a partner within larger consortia. From 2017 onward, they shifted to leading their own projects — first with smaller SME instrument grants (Magyc, BUTANOVA) and then scaling up to coordinate SHIKIFACTORY100, their largest project at €1.2M. This trajectory shows a clear move from learning partner to independent technology leader in cell factory design.

SilicoLife is moving from computational tools toward integrated cell factory platforms that combine software-driven design with scalable bio-production of high-value natural compounds.

How they like to work

SilicoLife operates with a balanced collaboration model — equally split between coordinating (3 projects) and participating (3 projects), which is unusual for an SME of this size. They have built a broad network of 36 partners across 13 countries, suggesting they are well-connected and trusted across European biotech research circles. Their progression from participant in large training networks to coordinator of increasingly ambitious projects signals a growing reputation and readiness to lead multi-partner initiatives.

SilicoLife has collaborated with 36 unique partners across 13 countries, building a pan-European network that spans academic metabolic engineering groups and industrial biotech players. For a 15-person SME from Braga, this geographic spread is remarkably wide and signals strong international credibility.

What sets them apart

SilicoLife occupies a distinctive niche as a software-first biotech company: they don't run fermenters, they design what goes into them. This computational-first approach makes them a versatile partner for any consortium that needs to accelerate the rational design of microbial production strains. Their track record of progressing from SME Phase 1 to coordinating a €1.2M RIA project demonstrates both technical credibility and organizational maturity that is rare among biotech SMEs in Southern Europe.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SHIKIFACTORY100
  Their largest project (€1.2M) as coordinator, targeting an ambitious goal of 100 compounds from a single metabolic pathway — represents the culmination of their earlier work.
• DD-DeCaF
  A flagship bioinformatics platform project for data-driven cell factory design, directly aligned with SilicoLife's core software product offering.
• BUTANOVA
  SME Phase 1 grant for biobutanol production shows their ability to translate computational tools into specific industrial applications beyond pharmaceuticals.