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• Biopolymer encapsulation:
Proteins—or entire plant fragments—can be coated
in enteric biopolymers that resist gastric acid and
dissolve only at higher pH levels found in the
small intestine. This ensures delayed release in
regions rich in immune-inductive tissues, improving
presentation to tolerogenic dendritic cells.
• Co-formulation with tolerogenic adjuvants:
Compounds like vitamin A derivatives, short-
chain fatty acids, or low-dose
immunomodulators can be included to bias the
immune response toward regulatory T cell
induction rather than inflammation. In some cases,
these adjuvants are co-expressed within the plant
tissue itself, enabling simultaneous delivery.

Together, these enhancements transform oral delivery from
a liability into a precision tool—one that can modulate
both timing and location of immune exposure.

Immunology by Route, Not Just Molecule

What makes this design so powerful is that it doesn’t just
solve a pharmacologic problem.
It reframes the therapeutic objective.

In traditional biologics, the goal is systemic absorption.
Get the protein into the blood, drive down the biomarker,
and hope the immune system doesn’t notice.

In edible biologics, the goal is local presentation:
Expose the immune system to the therapeutic protein in the
context of food-like signals, in the gut, where it’s
evolutionarily programmed to tolerate rather than attack.

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