Argentine biotechnology company Stämm has partnered with Israeli cultivated meat producer SuperMeat to enhance biomanufacturing processes for cultivated chicken. The collaboration, supported by mutual investor Varana Capital, will focus on integrating Stämm’s continuous bioprocessing technology into SuperMeat’s production system.
“Complementary technologies can combine to drive progress in the cultivated meat industry”
The partnership will benchmark the application of Stämm’s Bioprocessor, an automated, bubble-free bioreactor designed to improve efficiency in cell culture. Previously used in biologics manufacturing, the technology has demonstrated a 15-fold increase in volumetric productivity and cost reductions in stem cell production. The pilot will evaluate how the system can be applied to cultivated meat, with a particular focus on muscle fiber growth, elongation, and the formation of mature tissue.
“In the coming months, a joint team will benchmark and evaluate how to integrate our Bioprocessor into SuperMeat’s end-to-end production process. We are excited to see the results of this unique alliance,” said Yuyo Llamazares Vegh, CEO of Stämm.
SuperMeat, which has previously reported achieving cost parity with premium pasture-raised chicken at $11.79 per pound, aims to further refine its process through this collaboration. The company’s cultivated chicken can be grown in as little as two days, significantly reducing the time required compared to conventional poultry farming. The integration of Stämm’s bioprocessing technology is expected to increase production efficiency and enable the creation of structured whole-cut meat products.
Assessing cost efficiency and scalability
The companies will assess experimental metrics related to cost efficiency and scalability, including improvements in culture media utilization and biomass production. These findings will be used to develop economic models for future large-scale cultivated meat facilities.
Investor Varana Capital, which has backed both companies, sees the collaboration as a step toward advancing alternative protein manufacturing. “Israel’s exceptional entrepreneurial spirit and technological prowess make it an ideal investment destination for advancing the revolution in alternative protein production,” said Ezra Gardner, co-founder and CIO of Varana Capital.
Driving industry progress
With the alternative protein market projected to reach $290 billion by 2035, according to a report by BCG and Blue Horizon, cultivated meat producers continue to seek scalable solutions to reduce costs and improve production efficiency. The results of this pilot could inform broader efforts to commercialize cultivated meat at a competitive price point.
Ido Savir, CEO of SuperMeat, stated, “This partnership demonstrates how complementary technologies can combine to drive progress in the cultivated meat industry. By uniting our technologies, we create a pathway to whole-cut cultivated meat products that deliver superior quality and consumer appeal.”
