Integrated Lipid Biofuels LLC, a biotech and sustainability company based in Spokane Valley, has developed and launched its first consumer product and is preparing a Kickstarter campaign to support its initial market rollout.

The product, BioScentrix, is a probiotic odor eliminator. The company plans to launch a month-long crowdfunding campaign on May 19 to increase production capacity and support efforts to grow sales online and through potential retail partnerships.

Susan Borjesson Newman, CEO of Integrated Lipid Biofuels, says that to ensure success, the campaign's goal has been intentionally set low at $2,500. 

“We have everything ready to go,” she says. “It’s just about getting it out there.”

BioScentrix contains three probiotic strains and enzymes that bind odor-causing molecules. The enzymes neutralize odor instantly, while the probiotics consume odor-causing bacteria over time, Newman says. Currently, production is a small-batch, in-house system, similar to brewing beer. Newman envisions scaling production to 100,000 bottles every two days, she says.

Integrated Lipid Biofuels is headquartered in Spokane Valley at 13411 E. Trent and is operated by a team of seven. It was founded in 2012 by Washington State University professor Shulin Chen and has mostly been collecting patents, Newman says. In 2024, Chen hired Newman to help identify which of the company’s technologies could be brought to market the fastest.

Newman, who has a background in business and a doctorate in physiology, previously taught at WSU and the University of Idaho before moving into the private sector. Since stepping into the CEO role at Integrated Lipid Biofuels, Newman has focused on transitioning the company from a research-driven operation into one that generates revenue through commercial products.

Integrated Lipid Biofuels operates as an incubator of technology, Newman says, with multiple business lines under its umbrella.

In addition to BioScentrix, the company is developing biodegradable plastics made from food waste, known as PHA, through a division called Magic Materials. The company is also working on nutraceutical products under its Noetic Line, including polyphenol extracts aimed at supporting gut health.

Additionally, Integrated Lipid Biofuels sources specialty ingredients, such as algae and mushrooms through international partnerships and distributes them to supplement and health product companies.

While the company’s work spans several industries, Newman says BioScentrix is currently the primary focus as it represents the company’s first opportunity to generate consistent revenue.

“Our long-term plan is to become excellent at production and white labeling for other people who are excellent at sales and marketing,” Newman says.