A Healthier Alternative to Sugar Is Emerging in Vilnius – Lithuanian Company “Pentasweet” will be Building the First Such Factory in Europe

1,500 times sweeter than regular sugar, with no unpleasant aftertaste, low-calorie, and fully aligned with the principles of healthy nutrition. These are the characteristics of brazzein, a protein-based sweetener currently being developed by the Lithuanian company Pentasweet, which will be building the first factory in Europe – and only the second in the world – dedicated to producing this protein in Vilnius. The project involves an investment of €44 million. Such innovations are becoming Lithuania’s calling card on the international stage, and their importance to the life sciences sector will be highlighted at the Life Sciences Baltics forum, organized by Innovation Agency Lithuania. 

Brazzein is produced through fermentation, without the use of sugarcane, sugar beets, large tracts of land, or pesticides. The method for extracting it precisely and efficiently in the laboratory was developed by the Lithuanian biotech company Pentasweet. 

“It is perfectly suitable not only for those who monitor their sugar intake, but also for people who want to lose weight or who live with diabetes. Moreover, due to its molecular properties, it does not negatively affect gut microbiota,” explains Pentasweet Head of Business Development, Danas Tvarijonavičius. 

According to him, it is not only a healthier product but also a more versatile one in production. “Brazzein is stable under various conditions, and its production process is far less polluting – it reduces CO₂ emissions, while residual materials are integrated into the circular economy,” notes Tvarijonavičius. 

Martynas Survilas, Head of the Breakthrough Department at the Innovation Agency Lithuania, says that the product being developed by Pentasweet and the accompanying production infrastructure are clear proof of what bold ideas, backed by Lithuanian biotechnology expertise, can achieve. 

“Alternatives to sugar that solve not only taste but also health and environmental challenges are in higher demand than ever, not just in Lithuania but worldwide. The fact that the entire supply chain for this product is already being developed in Lithuania demonstrates the unquestionable professionalism of our specialists and the maturity of the sector,” emphasizes M. Survilas. 

Precision Like in Pharmaceuticals, Accessibility Like in the Food Industry 

Brazzein is already known in the world of food innovation, but until now, no one in Europe has managed to produce it in such volumes and at such a price point that would make it competitive. According to D. Tvarijonavičius, the food industry is impatient – buyers don’t want promises, they want to know when they can receive the first ton of the product. Thus, the decision to build a brazzein factory was a strategic move, and Vilnius was chosen for one reason – its people. 

“There are many competent specialists here. But they don’t want to relocate or commute to other cities. Building a team with the necessary qualifications elsewhere would have been an additional challenge – and this project already has enough of those,” says D. Tvarijonavičius. 

The factory, which will be built in the Vilnius Innovation Industrial Park, is scheduled to begin operations at the end of 2026 and is expected to create 26 new jobs. It will be the only such facility in Europe and just the second in the world. However, even then, one of the biggest challenges will remain – maintaining the highest product quality while ensuring it is financially accessible. 

“The quality benchmark is essentially the same as in pharmaceuticals, but we operate in the food market, so we can’t afford pharmaceutical-level costs. We want our product to be available for everyday consumption – not only for health enthusiasts or people with special needs but for everyone who simply wants a healthier choice,” explains D. Tvarijonavičius. 

When Innovation Becomes Visible to the World 

Today, brazzein is emerging as an answer to global health and environmental challenges. But as D. Tvarijonavičius himself says, it’s not enough to have a solution – the world must know about it. 

“There’s an expression – ‘to be on the map.’ It’s not enough to have knowledge, infrastructure, and people – you need potential partners, clients, and investors to know about you. Only then can you move forward,” says D. Tvarijonavičius. 

For this reason, Pentasweet will be participating in the Life Sciences Baltics forum, which will take place in Vilnius on September 17–18. The event, organized by the Innovation Agency Lithuania, will bring together more than 800 life sciences experts from around the world. They will share experiences and insights into the latest biotechnology trends and practices through conferences, presentations, and business meetings. 

“This is a traditional and effective networking opportunity. It’s likely that everyone who is driving change in Lithuania’s life sciences sector will be there – along with those who can help accelerate that change from the outside,” says D. Tvarijonavičius. 

According to him, such events help shape a broader understanding of what biotechnology really is: “Traditionally, red biotechnology dominates – pharmaceutical solutions, which are often considered the ‘real’ biotechnology. But we want to remind people that food and industrial biotechnology require the same competencies. Results can be seen faster, their impact on the consumer is direct, and the opportunity to create products is very real”, emphasizes Tvarijonavičius.