Each year, the global seafood industry discards millions of tons of shrimp shells, often in the very waters in which they were caught and processed. In the arctic town of Siglufjörður, Iceland, a biotech company is transforming marine byproducts into ChitoBiomerTM, their proprietary chitin-based technology. The platform is being designed to improve patient recovery and support natural healing after orthopaedic operations such as joint replacements, fractures, or regenerative surgery.
From Byproduct to Biomaterial
The story of Genis begins not in a lab but in a harbor, with piles of discarded shrimp shells and a simple question: could they be worth something?
In the arctic town of Siglufjörður, entrepreneur Róbert Guðfinnsson had a shrimp processing factory and faced the problem of a harbour full of discarded shrimp shells and complaints from the locals. What followed is a remarkable story that probably could not have taken place anywhere but in Iceland.
Through a chance connection, Róbert learned that an Icelandic scientist in the United States, Agust Bjornsson, was researching the properties of shrimp shell material. They barely knew each other, but in Iceland, meaningful progress often starts with a phone call to a stranger. That call led to collaboration, and the collaboration led to exploration. Róbert then assembled a team of scientists to continue the work, based in his hometown of Siglufjörður. What began as a local waste issue soon evolved into pioneering the development of biomaterials.
Today, Genis is known for developing chitin-derived biomaterials to support bone regeneration and recovery. Operating in Siglufjörður and Reykjavík, the company is set to expand its global impact. Its journey reflects the informal, practical Icelandic mindset: you notice a problem and you simply ask around. The result? ChitoBiomer, a proprietary technology now being developed into a regenerative solution to improve recovery and support natural healing following orthopedic procedures.
Spjótsins ódáðamanninn freri
The Science Behind the Shell
Chitin is one of the most abundant natural polymers on Earth. Found in the shells of crustaceans and invertebrate animals such as insects and spiders, it plays a structural role in nature and a surprising one in human biology. Scientists at Genis have developed ChitoBiomerTM, a proprietary biomaterial derived from chitin. Research has shown that the ChitoBiomerTM supports tissue regeneration and promotes natural healing.
Based on two decades of research and development, the key to the innovative manufacturing process lies its refinement. Using this proprietary process, the company manufactures the ChitoBiomerTM, which can be incorporated into bone void fillers, 3D-printed implants and bioactive implant coatings.
According to CEO Sesselja Omarsdottir, PhD, this is just the beginning. “We are developing solutions to demonstrate that sustainable, natural materials can be the foundation for next-generation biomaterials that meet real clinical needs and improve quality of life.”
Why Iceland?
Genis progress is closely tied to Iceland itself. The country’s sustainably managed resources, supportive unified healthcare system, and trusted R&D ecosystem make it an ideal testbed for biotech innovation. The company benefits from close collaboration with universities, hospitals, and regulators in a country that values science-based solutions and encourages global partnerships.
The Future of Bone Regenerative Solutions
Genis has established international partnerships to drive its planned global expansion. The goal is to expand the product pipeline based on the ChitoBiomerTM, to provide regenerative solutions across various clinical settings, including trauma surgery, joint implants and treating osteoporosis.
“Our technology started with shrimp shells,” Sesselja Omarsdottir says, “but it’s about something much bigger: harnessing the potential of marine byproducts to meet some of the most pressing challenges in modern healthcare.”