Biotech startup MyriaMeat, a spin-off of the University of Göttingen, has come out of stealth mode, claiming it can cultivate 100% "real meat".

© MyriaMeat

Germany’s MyriaMeat Emerges from Stealth: Cultivating Stem Cell-Derived Muscle Tissue with Medical Tech

Biotech startup MyriaMeat, founded by researchers from the University of Göttingen, has come out of stealth mode, claiming it can cultivate 100% “real meat” from stem cells. The startup, with headquarters in Munich and Göttingen, was founded in 2022 to transfer patented “groundbreaking” medical technology to the food field. Developed through more than 25 years of research and a financial investment exceeding €40 million, this technology is based on pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and parthenogenetic stem cells, enabling the growth of functional muscle — and presumably entire meat cuts. “Our muscle cells are uniquely able to contract, which is not possible with mixed products. This enables real ‘training’ of the cells and positions MyriaMeat as a pioneer in the production of cultivated meat,” comments Florian Hüttner, CEO …

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fermentation

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Synonym Secures Funding to Advance Research into Gas Fermentation for Food Production

New York-based biomanufacturing company Synonym has secured funding from Open Philanthropy to further its research into gas fermentation technology for sustainable food production. Recognized for its efforts in developing infrastructure for the biomanufacturing industry, Synonym plans to use the funding to conduct comparative techno-economic assessments of single-cell protein production using various gas fermentation techniques. The company is keen to assess the potential financial benefits of gas fermentation in comparison to processes that utilize plant-based carbon sources such as dextrose. The examination will be facilitated by Synonym’s team of process engineering and capital markets experts and will incorporate evaluation of capital expenditures related to various process designs, as well as comprehensive operating expenses, including nutrient media, staffing, utilities, and more. Fermentation at scale Synonym recently released The …

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Liberation Labs facility indiana

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Agronomics Secures $25M USDA Backing for Liberation Labs Biomanufacturing Facility

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted a $25 million loan guarantee to support Agronomics, a leading cellular agriculture and cultivated meat investment firm, in the completion of a large-scale biomanufacturing facility in Indiana.  Allocated for the finalization of Liberation Labs’ 600,000-liter bio-protein facility, the funding will support a resolution to the industry’s fermentation production capacity deficit. With commercial production scheduled to begin Q1 2025, the facility aims to efficiently produce novel proteins, including those that replicate the characteristics of egg and dairy proteins. Executive Director of Agronomics, Jim Mellon, expressed optimism about Liberation Labs’ cutting-edge fermentation infrastructure, stating, “Liberation Labs is developing state-of-the-art purpose-built fermentation infrastructure which will transform the existing fermentation capacity and help build a future in which precision fermentation …

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Nonprofit organisation Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA) announces the launch of a new cellular agriculture language guide.

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Cellular Agriculture Australia Launches New Language Guide to Standardise Terminology in the Industry

Nonprofit organisation Cellular Agriculture Australia (CAA) announces the launch of a new tool, Language Guide V1.0, developed to standardize and harmonise the terminology of the cellular agriculture industry. Using secondary research and input from sector leaders across the APAC region, CAA’s new Language Guide sets a unified terminology and key terms. At the same time, it provides optional communication guidelines for marketing and brand positioning strategies to help companies address language inconsistencies in their activities and product descriptions. Moreover, the CAA explains that a unified nomenclature is significant for the sector, the media, and consumers before approvals in the country. The cultivated meat company Vow is currently going through the first evaluations by food regulators in Australia. Additionally, other companies are also preparing to seek regulatory approval in …

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Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture (TUCCA) has launched what it claims is the world's first undergraduate degree in cellular agriculture.

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Tufts University Launches World’s First Undergraduate Degree in Cellular Agriculture

Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture (TUCCA), based in Massachusetts USA, has launched what it claims to be the world’s first undergraduate degree in cellular agriculture to allow students to secure the unique skills they need to work in the emerging industry of cellular agriculture. TUCCA, considered among the leading academic institutions for cellular agriculture research, leverages world-renowned expertise in tissue engineering, synthetic biology, and food science to reinvent the production of animal products.  This undergraduate degree aims to empower undergraduates in tissue engineering research to translate cellular agriculture research into food industry innovation. It is designed as an interdisciplinary minor and combines various disciplines to understand this complex, cutting-edge field. Available to students in the Tufts School of Engineering and the School of Arts and Sciences, …

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ProFuse Technology and Gelatex have partnered to advance cultivated meat production.

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ProFuse Technology and Gelatex to Expedite Cultivated Meat by Enhancing Muscle Growth 

Israeli biotech ProFuse Technology, a biotech at the forefront of muscle tissue growth, and Gelatex Technologies, an Estonian materials technology company specializing in nanofibers, have partnered to advance cultivated meat production. The companies have announced that they have been working on a comprehensive solution for optimizing muscle growth that will expand production capacity and expedite the commercial viability of cultivated meat. Using a media supplement developed by ProFuse and Gelatex’s plant-based scaffolds, the companies claim to have reduced the average cycle of chicken muscle growth in just 48 hours and a fivefold increase in muscle protein compared to conventional methods of muscle growth. Guy Nevo Michrowski, CEO of ProFuse Technology, said, “By innovating through collaboration, we are assisting in reshaping the future of meat production. Together, Profuse and Gelatex …

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Rich Dillon, CEO Ivy Farm

Rich Dillon, image supplied by Ivy Farm

Ivy Farm Technologies: “Fighting Climate Change with Cultivated Meat is a Global Opportunity”

Rich Dillon is the CEO of Ivy Farm Technologies, a leading cultivated meat company based in Oxford, UK. Ivy Farm describes itself as a “disruptive food-tech startup on a mission to create real meat in a radically more sustainable way and to tackle one of the world’s biggest climate polluters – industrial agriculture”. Continuously making waves since its foundation in 2019, Ivy Farm’s technology was developed by PhD engineers at the University of Oxford and the team holds nine patent filings with unique IP which it says gives the company a technological edge in the cultivated meat sector. Last summer Ivy Farm unveiled a pilot plant in Oxford with production capabilities of 2.8 tonnes of cultivated meat a year, which it claimed to be the …

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Vivici fermentation unit

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Vivici Partners with Ginkgo Bioworks to Expand Portfolio of Sustainable Dairy Proteins

Vivici, a Dutch B2B ingredients startup utilizing precision fermentation, and Ginkgo Bioworks, a cell programming and biosecurity platform, have announced a strategic partnership to advance the production of sustainable animal-free dairy proteins. Focusing on meeting the increasing global demand for sustainable and appealing proteins, Vivici utilizes precision fermentation techniques to create animal-free dairy proteins with microorganisms. Ginkgo Bioworks is set to enhance the partnership with its protein production services and generative AI platform. The company’s strategic role involves creating a comprehensive library, where it will screen and cultivate top-performing strains and then deliver them to Vivici for final evaluation. Stephan van Sint Fiet, CEO at Vivici, commented, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Ginkgo. Ginkgo’s scale and AI-driven approach to designing strains for protein expression …

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TurtleTree receives approval to commercialize animal-free lactoferrin in the USA

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TurtleTree Obtains First-Ever Self-GRAS Status for Precision Fermentation-Derived Lactoferrin

Singaporean biotech TurtleTree claims that it has obtained the world’s first self-GRAS status (generally recognized as safe) by the FDA for a precision fermentation-derived lactoferrin, making it also the first Singaporean company to obtain self-GRAS for a synbio protein. This status confirms that TurtleTree’s animal-free lactoferrin is safe for human consumption, allowing the company to commercialize it in the USA. In May, the company unveiled the protein, branded under L+, claiming it as the world’s first animal-free lactoferrin. TurtleTree announced that it will supply LF+ for infant formulas, plant-based dairy, and sports nutrition products, including protein powders, functional beverages, meal replacement alternatives, and multivitamins, expecting profitability in 2024. The biotech company also announced that multiple clients have shown interest in buying a $500 million value of animal-free lactoferrin …

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Brett Thompson CEO Newform Foods

Brett Thompson, CEO Newform Foods, image supplied

Op Ed: Brett Thompson, CEO Newform Foods, on Expanding the Definition of Meat

Brett Thompson founded Mzansi Meat Co., Africa’s first cultivated meat company, in the middle of lockdown, and the company became Newform Foods this summer after a rebrand and new strategy, redirecting its focus from being a consumer brand to offering meat cultivation technology. Here, Thompson explains that after spending time in the field of cellular agriculture, recently establishing a demonstration facility for cultivated meat products in Cape Town, he believes that we should alter the definition of meat, as cultivated products begin to enter mainstream consciousness and become part of our food system. Expanding the definition of meat By Brett Thompson After working in cultivated meat for four years, and over a decade in plant-based meat, my view on the definition of meat has drastically …

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a graphic of a brown cow and a mark on its back that measures the wound inflicted to take a live cells sample

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New Scientific Review by Mosa Meat Discusses Challenges in Cell Biology for Cultivated Meat

A new scientific review, Advances and Challenges in Cell Biology for Cultured Meat, by the Cell Biology team at Dutch biotech company Mosa Meat, highlights the importance of a detailed understanding and accurate manipulation of cell biology in designing cultivated meat bioprocesses.  Despite significant interest and breakthroughs in the field, the paper argues that numerous challenges remain at all stages of biomanufacturing, including the cell biology process.  To shed light on the advancements in this area, the review focuses explicitly on identifying suitable starting cell types, tuning proliferation and differentiation conditions, and optimizing cell-biomaterial interactions for creating nutritious and enticing cultivated meat products.  Additionally, the paper explores the emerging field of cultivated meat and its potential to revolutionize meat production if coordinated scientific efforts solve the …

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Czech startup Bene Meat Technologies (BMT) has become the first company in the world to obtain EU Certification to produce and sell cultivated meat for pet food.

© Bene Meat Technologies (BMT)

Has Cultivated Meat for Pet Food Really Been Approved in EU? The Complicated Story of Bene Meat (and Others in the Space)

Two weeks ago, a press release was widely distributed by Czech startup Bene Meat Technologies, titled “Bene Meat Technologies is the first company in the world to be licensed to produce and sell cultured meat as dog and cat food” The release stated, ” On 7.11.2023, the Czech startup Bene Meat Technologies (BMT) won the world championship to produce and sell cultured meat for PET FOOD needs. With the certification obtained from the European Feed Materials Register, it becomes the only entity in the world that can produce and sell this product for PET FOOD needs.[…] Bene Meat Technologies is thus the first entity in the world to be authorised to produce and sell cultured meat for PET FOOD.”  This apparently groundbreaking news was covered …

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MicroHarvest pilot plant opening

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MicroHarvest Opens Pilot Plant to Accelerate Journey Towards Commercialisation

Biotech company MicroHarvest has opened a pilot plant in Lisbon, Portugal, to produce samples of its single-cell protein made through microbial fermentation. In the space of six months, MicroHarvest has transformed a portion of its office space into the laboratory and plant, which was officially opened at an event on November 16. The opening was attended by the company’s partners and investors. The new pilot plant will allow MicroHarvest to test and hone its proprietary technology, accelerating the commercialisation process. The company hopes to have its first product on the market by early 2024, after forming a partnership with a contract manufacturer that will allow it to scale to 1 ton per day. “This pilot plant serves as tangible evidence of the scalability of our …

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QL AG animal-free dairy

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Fermentation Enabled Alternative Protein Market to Grow With 14% CAGR

According to a new report by InsightAce Analytic, the global fermentation enabled alternative protein market is projected to grow with a significant CAGR of 14% over the forecast period 2023-2031. The market was valued at $370.39 million last year, and will grow to reach over $1.19 billion by 2031. The report includes companies using traditional, biomass, and precision fermentation techniques, which involve using microorganisms such as algae, yeast, and fungi to produce food ingredients. It finds that there are over 50 players in the industry, with the majority based in the US. The rise of flexitarianism and increased demand for sustainable proteins is driving the market and helping fermented protein companies to gain investments. However, the industry faces challenges regarding public perceptions, as many consumers …

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Meatable's CEO Krijn de Nood cutting the ribbon of the company's new pilot facility

Krijn de Nood, CEO of Meatable cutting the ribbon - Image courtesy of Meatable

Netherlands: Meatable Opens Larger Pilot Facility Ahead of 2024 Cultivated Pork Launch

Dutch biotech company Meatable yesterday inaugurated a new pilot facility at the Bio Science Park in Leiden, the Netherlands, to expand the production capacity of its cultivated pork platform. The new pilot facility follows a successful $35 million Series B round this summer, which brought the company’s raised capital for cultivated pork to $95 million. According to Meatable, the new 3300m2 facility is twice the size of its previous office and lab space. It has a bioreactor capacity of 200 L (500 L in the future), allowing the company to expand its production from the previous 50 L. The company states that this expansion is an important milestone in producing and testing larger quantities of cultivated pork products as it prepares for a commercial launch in …

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The Florida state flag waving along with the national flag of the United States of America. In the background there is a clear sky.

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Florida House Republican Introduces Bill to Ban Cultivated Meat in the State

Florida House Representative Tyler Sirois is making headlines after introducing a new bill prohibiting the production, selling, holding, and distributing of cultivated meat in Florida. The news comes only a few weeks after TIME magazine’s Best Inventions of 2023 included GOOD Meat’s cultivated chicken. As reported by Action News Jax, the proposed legislation states that anyone found in violation could face criminal penalties, including a misdemeanor of the second degree, accompanied by a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000. Restaurants or food service companies violating the law would see a license suspension or an immediate stop-sale order. If signed into law, this bill would come into effect in July 2024 and could have significant implications for the emerging cellular agriculture industry.  Florida legislation reportedly mandates that any …

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Yali Bio dairy fat ice cream

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Yali Bio Reveals Precision-Fermented Dairy Fat Alternative at US Food Tech Event

Yali Bio, a California-based food tech firm, has revealed its precision-fermented dairy fat alternative during the MISTA Growth Hack event in San Francisco. The company showcased its new solid hard fat through the presentation of dairy-free ice cream at the event, created in collaboration with MISTA supporters, including AAK, Ingredion, and Givaudan.  Having secured a substantial $3.9 million in funding last year, Yali Bio has been working towards formulating customized fats that enhance the flavors and functionalities of plant-based alternatives in the meat and dairy sectors. In a strategic move, the company recently appointed Dr. Don DiMasi, a former executive at Impossible Foods, as the Senior Vice President of Engineering and Biomanufacturing. Dr. DiMasi has been focusing on expanding process development and the company’s biomanufacturing …

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From L to R: Andrew Gray, Director at Co-Labs; Paul Bevan, founder and CEO of Magic Valley; and Samuel Wines, co-founder at Co-Labs

From L to R: Andrew Gray, Director at Co-Labs; Paul Bevan, founder and CEO of Magic Valley; and Samuel Wines, co-founder at Co-Labs © Magic Valley

Magic Valley Partners with Co-Labs to Increase Production Capacity for Cultivated Meat

Australian cultivated meat company Magic Valley has announced that it will amplify its production by expanding its operations to an advanced pilot facility at Co-Labs, an innovation hub and co-working laboratory based in Melbourne. With this strategic decision, the company aims to increase its production capacity to 3,000-litre bioreactors, aiming to reach 150,000 kg of product annually. Additionally, according to the company, the new pilot facility will reinforce its dedication to sustainability by enhancing product innovation and efficiency. The news follows a collaboration with Biocellion SPC, a US software developer and computer modeling company, to drive advancements in bioreactor technology and scale the production of cultivated meat at lower costs. At the forefront of sustainability Magic Valley claims it has developed a scalable platform to grow any type of meat, including cultivated …

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Future Ocean Foods

© Future Ocean Foods

Debut of World’s First Alternative Seafood Association Signals a New Era for Fish-Free Fish & Health of Our Oceans

Future Ocean Foods debuts today as the world’s first alternative seafood association, dedicated to propelling the alt seafood industry into a new era. With an impressive list of inaugural memberships, the alliance already has 36 companies on board, spanning 14 countries. 40% of its members are women founders, and this percentage is set to increase. We spoke with Future Ocean Foods’ founder and Executive Director, Marissa Bronfman, who described the association’s goal to bring together global initiatives united in a shared purpose to create sustainable, healthy seafood alternatives that support ocean conversation and address current challenges in food security. The association’s focus is to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing with members spanning the sectors of plant-based seafood, fermentation, and cultivated food tech.  A future where seafood …

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Newform Foods partners with Project Assignments on a demonstration facility for cultivated animal products-

From left to right: Brett Thompson, co-founder and CEO of Newform Foods; Tasneem Karodia, co-founder and COO of Newform Foods; John Clayton, Managing Director at Project Assignments; and Gary Van Der Heyde, Operations Director at Project Assignments © Newform Foods

Newform Foods and Project Assignments Partner to Install Demo Facility for Cultivated Meat Products in Cape Town

South African companies, the biotech Newform Foods (previously Mzansi Meat) and the engineering giants Project Assignments have partnered to install a demonstration facility for cultivated meat products in Cape Town. According to the biotech’s announcement, it will be the largest of its kind in Africa, serving as a demonstration platform for Newform Food’s cutting-edge biotechnology at scale. The company, which claims to have a pioneering production model, aims to expand its business model by offering meat manufacturers, cultivated meat producers, and retailers, end-to-end solutions for developing cultivated meat in their existing facilities. The services will include tailored solutions such as media development, cell lines of interest, prototype development, and scaling (bioreactor plans). Collaborating with Project Assignments, Newform Foods will provide future customers with a platform for easy …

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