CellX, a biotechnology company operating in both cultivated meat and mycelium-based protein development, has received self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for its morel mushroom mycelium ingredient under US FDA regulations. The determination was made by an independent panel of scientific experts following an evaluation of safety data and nutritional composition.
“Our decision to focus on morel over other fungi species was deliberate”
The company, which began developing mycelium-based ingredients in 2022, has introduced morel mushroom mycelium as a high-protein alternative protein source. Produced via biomass fermentation, the ingredient contains approximately 50% protein and 25% fiber, along with B vitamins, iron, and zinc. CellX’s proprietary morel strain was developed in partnership with a university and isolated from a wild sample collected in Shangri-La, China.
CellX founder and CEO Ziliang Yang stated, “After four years of R&D, our team is excited to take this significant step toward commercialization.” The company has scaled production to 12,000-liter fermentation capacity, with plans to expand to 30,000 and 120,000 liters.
In conjunction with achieving GRAS status, CellX has launched a consumer-facing brand, Mourish, offering snacks formulated with the company’s mycelium ingredient. The initial product line includes a high-protein mushroom jerky available in Teriyaki, Lemon Pepper, and Sichuan Peppercorn flavors. The jerky is available for purchase online via the company’s website and Amazon, with retail expansion expected later in the year.
Strategic focus on morels
“Our decision to focus on morel over other fungi species was deliberate,” said Yang, citing taste, texture, and nutritional efficiency as key factors. The company’s asset-light model and use of strategic partnerships are intended to support cost-effective scaling and distribution.
While the company previously maintained operations in China, its headquarters have since been relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area to support commercialization efforts in the US market.
Continued progress in cultivated meat
Originally established as a cultivated meat company, CellX has also advanced its cultivated meat operations, including scaling to a 2,000-liter bioreactor, the largest reported in China. As part of a shift in its business model, CellX now licenses its cultivated meat technologies—including cell lines, culture media, and bioprocessing systems—to other companies in the sector. Yang noted that the licensing model has been implemented with several partners since 2024.
CellX has raised $20 million in funding to date. The company has indicated that future efforts will focus on expanding applications for its mycelium-based protein across various product categories and supplying the ingredient to food manufacturers.
