To better understand the role of partnership in BRYOMOLECULES, we interviewed José L. Mullor, CEO of Bionos, a leading company specialising in Efficacy Testing for Cosmetic and Food-Nutraceutical industries. In the project, Bionos is responsible for testing the extracts and molecules developed by other partners, evaluating their toxicity, safety, and biological activity, including antioxidant, anti-ageing, and longevity-related properties. This work helps identify the most promising compounds for potential applications in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors. 

BRYOMOLECULES brings together eight partners from across Europe, combining expertise in bryophyte biodiversity, biotechnology, and metabolomics. The consortium is structured to ensure that discoveries move efficiently from cultivation and extraction to testing and potential industrial application. 

As José L. Mullor explains, strong interaction between academia and industry is essential. Researchers benefit from understanding market realities, including safety standards, scalability, and production costs. At the same time, companies rely on academic institutions for the focused research and scientific depth needed to generate new ideas and products. Continuous collaboration between multiple laboratories and industrial partners is key to building a competitive and sustainable biotechnology ecosystem. 

Watch the interview

Author and video producer: Ines Azaiez