BioHarvest Sciences Inc (NASDAQ:BHST, FRA:8MV0) announced that it has expanded its collaboration with Tate & Lyle PLC (LSE:TATE) to broaden the scope of their joint sweetener development program to include multiple plant-based sweetener molecules.
The expanded partnership builds on an agreement signed in 2024 and follows what the companies described as strong technical progress in developing sweetening solutions for food and beverage manufacturers.
BioHarvest said the collaboration will leverage its Botanical Synthesis platform to develop plant-based, non-GMO ingredients aimed at reducing reliance on traditional agricultural extraction methods for rare or difficult-to-source botanicals.
Tate & Lyle said the broader program is intended to provide manufacturers with a wider range of sweetening options that can be tailored for different formulations as consumer preferences around taste, cost and labeling continue to evolve.
The company noted that no single sweetener can meet the needs of every food and beverage category, adding that its strategy focuses on complementary sweetening solutions that can be used independently or together to support sugar and calorie reduction goals.
Tate & Lyle highlighted its history in sweetener innovation, including the discovery of sucralose in 1976, the commercialization of allulose in 2015 and bioconverted stevia Reb M in 2018.
The company also cited a 2025 proprietary survey across seven global markets that found more than half of respondents planned to reduce sugar consumption over the next 12 months, with strong interest in sweeteners derived from fruits and plants.
"Broadening the development program demonstrates confidence in the versatility of our Botanical Synthesis platform and in the progress delivered through our collaboration with Tate & Lyle,” BioHarvest CEO Zaki Rakib said in a statement.
“Together, we are enabling access to differentiated, plant-based sweetening solutions designed to support a range of sensory, application and economic requirements."
Victoria Spadaro-Grant, chief science and innovation officer at Tate & Lyle, said the broader collaboration reflects progress already achieved and supports the company’s effort to expand its “broad toolbox of sweetening solutions.”
“As we define what customers ultimately look for in next-generation sweeteners - sugar-like taste, solutions anchored in nature, reduced calories and responsible use of resources - it is clear that several unmet needs in the market today are unlikely to be addressed with a single sweetener,” Spadaro-Grant said.
She added that the flexibility created through the expanded partnership is important as manufacturers seek category-specific solutions that balance “taste, cost and labelling requirements, while supporting sugar and calorie reduction.”