Key Takeaways:
- Dr. Isaac Berzin is the Founder and CTO of Vaxa Life, focused on algae-based food and feed technologies.
- With a background in biotechnology and climate research, he brings experience from previous roles, including at Qualitas Health.
- Vaxa Life produces alternative nutrition ingredients with consistent quality and sustainability advantages.
- The company is developing products including Omega-3 supplements and nutrient-rich biomass using controlled-environment algae cultivation.
- Berzin emphasizes the adaptability and nutritional potential of algae strains and their role in the food chain.
Dr. Isaac Berzin’s Background and the Road to Vaxa Life
Dr. Isaac Berzin has been active in climate and sustainability initiatives for over two decades. In 2008, he was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people for his contributions to sustainable development. His work spans academic, commercial, and policy domains, with previous roles including research and product development in algal supplements at Qualitas Health.
Speaking on the Vertical Farming Podcast, Berzin discussed how his relocation to Iceland led to the founding of Vaxa Life. “It was a quest for sustainability and superior user experience,” he noted, describing the company’s focus on environmental stewardship and nutritional science.
Vaxa Life’s Approach to Alternative Nutrition
At Vaxa Life, Dr. Isaac Berzin and his team use algae as a foundation for producing food and feed ingredients rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins. While algae is the medium, the organization identifies more as a technology provider than a commodity algae producer.
“Vaxa is a technology company. We use algae as a vehicle, but we are not an algae company,” he said.
Vaxa’s cultivation is carried out in closed, controlled systems, helping to reduce variability often seen in conventional agriculture. According to Berzin, this consistency is especially critical for daily-harvested crops and functional nutrition products like Omega-3 supplements. One of Vaxa Life’s commercial offerings is Örlö, a branded supplement marketed as one of the most sustainable Omega-3s available.
Dr. Isaac Berzin on Algae Strains, Applications, and Opportunities
Berzin emphasized the biological diversity of microalgae and the limited number of strains currently approved for human consumption. “There are hundreds of strains in nature, but only a handful are used commercially,” he said, citing the importance of targeted strain selection and controlled production environments.
The company’s controlled systems allow for optimized expression of desired nutrients and reduced environmental impact. Berzin noted that algae’s adaptability and functional characteristics make them a strong candidate for future food systems.
“The more time I spend with algae, the more I appreciate their complexity,” he said. “They are the baseline of the food chain for a reason.”
Looking ahead, Berzin sees opportunities for Vaxa Life in both human and animal nutrition, with an emphasis on precision, consistency, and sustainability. The company continues to refine its product pipeline and build partnerships across the food and wellness sectors.
