Event Insights: Algae for Health in Food and Pharma
On 4th –5th March 2026, the Algae for Health in Food and Pharma – Innovation & Industry Summit brought together 180 participants from across the globe at the Teagasc Conference Centre in Dublin, Ireland.
After a short welcome by Dr. Maria Hayes, senior researcher at Teagasc and Algae4IBD partner, the summit was opened by Dr. Dorit Avni, project coordinator and group leater at the MIGAL Galilee Research Institute and Tel Hai University. Dr. Avni presented the vision, transformative achievements and key results of the Algae4IBD project, highlighting that these were made possible through the exceptional collaboration and full engagement of the consortium’s 21 partners. Afterwards, the project officer, Mrs. Veerle Lammens, emphasised the challenges encountered and the successful results delivered.
Over two dynamic days, the summit showcased cutting-edge advances in algae biotechnology, from sustainable cultivation and processing to bioactive discovery and real-world applications in food, nutraceuticals and health, bringing together academia and industry to address key gaps and opportunities.
Key Insights from the Summit
Throughout the conference, speakers highlighted both the scientific advances and remaining challenges in bringing algae-based innovations to the market.
One major theme was the challenge of scaling algae production. Researchers explained that strains capable of producing valuable compounds are often not robust enough for industrial cultivation, while more resilient strains may produce lower quantities of target molecules. Prof. Luísa Barreira from the University of the Algarve and CCMAR noted that optimising algae strains without genetic modification, for example by inducing mutagenesis through environmental stress conditions, can help improve production traits while maintaining regulatory acceptance. She then shared how this approach helped improve the production of algae bioactives identified within the Algae4IBD project.
In parallel, experts such as Dr. Mariana Carneiro from Necton, Prof. Antonio Marzocchella from the University of Naples Federico II and Dr. Luigi d’Elia from eLoop highlighted the importance of efficient processing technologies and end-to-end production systems. Because algae cultivation can be relatively costly, efficient extraction and biomass stabilisation are essential to make products economically viable.
A number of presentations focused on the bioactivity of algae-derived compounds and their potential health benefits. Dr. Dorit Avni presented studies demonstrating that selected algae extracts show anti-inflammatory activity in cellular systems and in vivo models, while Dr. Federica Ungaro from the San Raffaele Hospital introduced patient biopsy-based assays for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), providing a clinically relevant platform to accelerate translation of these findings.
Other research explored oligosaccharides derived from algae that may support beneficial gut bacteria associated with improved gut health. This included also the latest data from Algae4IBD. Promising compounds were identified displaying anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and prebiotic activities as Prof. Kiron Viswanath from NORD University and Dr. Pavel Hrouzek from the Czech Academy of Sciences showed. Many of these compounds were also shown to retain their bioactivity during bio-guided simulated digestion trials, as demonstrated by Dr. Leen Bastiaens from VITO.
Beyond laboratory research, several speakers discussed the translation of algae compounds into food products and ingredients. They also noted that factors such as colour, flavour and consumer perception remain important considerations for product development. Under this theme, the successful translation of Algae4IBD’s discoveries into innovative food products further underscored the project’s impact. Dr. Benoit Queguineur from Algaia and Dr. Maria Hayes from Teagasc presented the incorporation of algae extracts and ingredients into the Algae4IBD food prototypes. The teams developed products such as pesto, baked goods, plant-based spreads and confectionery. These Algae-enriched prototypes demonstrated strong potential for market adoption, combining functionality with safety, stability, sensory quality and consumer acceptability. Participants had the opportunity to taste some of the Algae4IBD food prototypes during the conference and provide their feedback.
Industry perspectives, such as those presented by Dr. Jeroen Van Bergenhenegouwen from Danone Nutricia, highlighted the growing interest in algae ingredients for sustainable and medical nutrition, while emphasising the remaining gaps to enable large-scale adoption. Robert Jan de Voogd from Corbion explained that algae-derived oils are already replacing fish oil in some applications due to their high DHA content, while other algae-derived components such as proteins, fibres and antioxidants may support gut health and inflammation management. At the same time, industry representatives stressed that strong scientific evidence, regulatory approval and competitive costs remain critical factors for large-scale adoption.
Regulatory considerations were another key topic. Experts explained that health and nutrition claims for foods are strictly regulated, and companies must ensure that any claims are scientifically substantiated and communicated clearly to consumers. Because foods cannot be marketed as preventing or curing diseases, translating scientific discoveries into compliant consumer communication remains a challenge.
Panel discussions also addressed the broader innovation ecosystem for algae-based products. Participants highlighted that although research and development in algae biotechnology has advanced significantly, regulatory complexity, intellectual property considerations and development costs can slow down innovation. Speakers emphasised that collaboration across industry, research institutions and support from the European Commission, will be essential to generate the data and infrastructure needed to bring algae innovations to market.
Finally, Vasiliki Rafaela Vakouftsi, president of the Greek IBD Patients’ Association, highlighted the importance of engaging patients and consumers when developing algae-based health solutions. Mrs Vakouftsi – like other speakers – stressed that many consumers, especially IBD patients, remain cautious about novel ingredients, underscoring the need for clear and accessible communication of scientific evidence to build trust, support informed choices, and drive acceptance of innovative health solutions.
The event was organised on behalf of the Algae4IBD consortium by Teagasc, MIGAL – Galilee Research Institute, and ESCI. The Networking Initiative is funded by the Marine Institute under the Marine Research Programme with the support of the Government of Ireland. The summit has received financial support from Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, and Wiley sponsored best talk and best poster prizes for the event.
