June 2024 was a fairly quiet month for the cultivated meat sector but some news were interesting (even inexpected). Let’s dive into the news.
The potential of cellular agriculture to transform East Africa’s food production landscape was discussed in a very interesting article. As demand for animal proteins rises, integrating cultivated meat can alleviate pressure on conventional farming. However, consumer perception remains a significant hurdle, with 60% of people in USA polled reluctant to try cell-cultivated meat. Efforts to change this perception are crucial for broader acceptance. Additionally, BioMADE’s project call for sustainable logistics in advanced manufacturing indicates a focus on bioindustrial solutions to combat climate change.
Among companies and key players, Ever After Foods, a spinoff from Pluri, is shifting to a B2B model to license its cultivated meat technology. The Bezos Earth Fund announced a $30 million investment in the new Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at Imperial College London, aimed at advancing alternative food products. However, the sector also faced setbacks, with SCiFi Foods ceasing operations due to fundraising challenges and Aleph Farms laying off 30% of its staff despite recent regulatory approvals.
Market trends and investment prospects reveal mixed signals. While some companies are advancing their capabilities and securing substantial funding, others are struggling financially. The cultivated meat market continues to evolve, with investments focusing on sustainable and scalable production methods. Notably, BioCraft achieved price parity for its cultivated mouse meat with premium pet food, demonstrating cost reductions through innovative growth media usage.
In USA, Rep. Warren Davidson introduced the REAL Meat Act of 2024, aiming to restrict federal funding for cell-cultured meat research and production. This move reflects ongoing tensions between traditional meat industries and the burgeoning cultivated meat sector.
Research advancements include an analysis of the nutritional composition of meat alternatives in Belgium, comparing them to conventional meat products. Another study highlighted the use of decellularised plant scaffolds for porcine skeletal muscle tissue engineering, showcasing innovative approaches to biomanufacturing cultivated meat. These findings underscore the ongoing scientific efforts to improve the quality and feasibility of cultivated meat products.
See you next month!
News
Is cellular agriculture the next big thing for East Africa? June 18, 2024
At scale, applications of new protein production (such as cultivated meat, an application of cellular agriculture) can reduce the pressure on conventional producers to meet increasing demand for animal proteins. Together, smallholder farming and new methods of production can optimize the overall protein ecosystem and meet this demand with fewer… Read more: Is cellular agriculture the next big thing for East Africa?
Why the cell-cultivated meat industry needs to change consumer perceptions June 16, 2024
Despite all of this, 60% of those polled also said they either definitely or probably wouldn’t even try cell-cultivated meat (the term the industry prefers over the survey’s lab-grown meat, the one that doesn’t rely on cruelty and is gradually making the planet less habitable. Source: Why the cell-cultivated meat… Read more: Why the cell-cultivated meat industry needs to change consumer perceptions
Project Call: Sustainable Logistics for Advanced Manufacturing (SLAM) — BioMADE June 15, 2024
BioMADE is now accepting submissions for projects that accelerate technology development related to mitigating the causes and consequences of global climate change through bioindustrial manufacturing. Source: Project Call: Sustainable Logistics for Advanced Manufacturing (SLAM) — BioMADE
Book review: Cultivated Meat to Secure our Future June 13, 2024
The book is broadly positive, and I was surprised at just how long the list of potential benefits runs. There are also negatives. No technology is neutral. Obstacles remain, and the vested interests of industrial farming are moving against the idea. The book is honest about that, and I didn’t… Read more: Book review: Cultivated Meat to Secure our Future
Cultivated Meat: Approvals and Prohibitions Since Singapore’s Pioneering Step in 2020 June 2, 2024
Currently, worldwide, 174 companies are developing cultivated meat from cells, rather than farming animals or fishing. This milestone signifies a major achievement for an emerging industry that has had to build practically everything from the bottom up.Today’s summary highlights the world’s cultivated meat approvals and the latest submissions from companies eager to… Read more
Companies and key players
Don’t write off cultivated meat just yet, says Ever After Foods June 30, 2024
A spinoff from regenerative medicine company Pluri, which is also backed by Israeli food co Tnuva Group, Ever After Foods has exclusive licensing rights to Pluri’s IP around cultivated meat and fish, and has recently switched to a b2b model to give other companies access to its technology. The latest… Read more: Don’t write off cultivated meat just yet, says Ever After Foods
Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein Opens at Imperial College London, Will Receive $30M in Funding June 29, 2024
The Bezos Earth Fund has announced the launch of a new Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at Imperial College London.The Center will span seven academic departments, focusing on the development and commercialization of sustainable, affordable, nutritious, and tasty alternative food products.Over the next five years, the Center will receive $30… Read more: Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein Opens at Imperial College London, Will Receive $30M in Funding
AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance partners with Believer Meats to develop cultivated meat capabilities in Abu Dhabi June 20, 2024
Believer Meats will pursue establishing a regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi that can support commercial operations for regional market expansion, product manufacturing, and research and development. AGWA aims to capitalise on technological advancements to address shifting dietary patterns and support global food security for a reliable and resilient supply chain.… Read more: AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance partners with Believer Meats to develop cultivated meat capabilities in Abu Dhabi
BREAKING: Cultivated meat co SCiFi Foods closes up shop June 14, 2024
“Given challenges in the fundraising market, we’ve appointed an advisory firm to run a sale process,” said cofounder and CEO Joshua March. “Given the nature of the process, I can’t really say much more beyond this,” added March, who has raised about $40 million to date from investors including British… Read more: BREAKING: Cultivated meat co SCiFi Foods closes up shop
Cultivated meat startup Aleph Farms lays off 30% of staff June 6, 2024
The Israeli cultivated meat company Aleph Farms is laying off about 30 out of around 100 employees, amounting to 30% of the company’s workforce. This comes despite the company’s recent initial approval from the Ministry of Health for the marketing of its products (pre-marketing approval) and its emergence in recent… Read more: Cultivated meat startup Aleph Farms lays off 30% of staff
Stem cell technology pioneer Myocopia helps bring cultivated meat to consumers June 3, 2024
The new technology originated from Katajisto’s laboratory, which is connected to the Centre of Excellence in Stem Cell Metabolism (MetaStem). Researchers there have studied how cellular metabolism regulates the division and differentiation of stem cells. Their basic research on the metabolism of muscle stem cells led to an innovation that can… Read more: Stem cell technology pioneer Myocopia helps bring cultivated meat to consumers
BioCraft’s cultivated mouse meat reaches price parity with premium pet food June 1, 2024
According to a report at Green Queen, BioCraft (formerly called Because Animals) said its cultivated meat now has a sale price of $2 to $2.50 per pound, on par with premium meat in pet food. It has achieved this milestone by reimagining the use of growth media to both cut costs and… Read more
Laws, ethics and lobbies
Rep. Davidson Introduces The REAL Meat Act of 2024 June 24, 2024
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) introduced the REAL Meat Act of 2024 today alongside 8 other House colleagues. This legislation prohibits federal funding from being obligated or expended for the research, production, advancement, or enhancement of cell-cultured meat. Source: Rep. Davidson Introduces The REAL Meat Act of 2024 | Press Releases |… Read more
Research
Analysis of the Nutritional Composition of Ready-to-Use Meat Alternatives in Belgium June 21, 2024
This study aims to analyse the nutritional composition of ready-to-use meat alternatives and compare them with meat (products). Methods: Nutritional composition values were collected in 2022 of all ready-to-use meat alternatives in Belgian supermarkets, as well as their animal-based counterparts. Source: Nutrients | Free Full-Text | Analysis of the Nutritional… Read more: Analysis of the Nutritional Composition of Ready-to-Use Meat Alternatives in Belgium
Decellularised plant scaffolds facilitate porcine skeletal muscle tissue engineering for cultivated meat biomanufacturing June 8, 2024
The aligned vascular bundles of the decellularised asparagus scaffold were selected to facilitate the attachment and alignment of murine myoblasts (C2C12) and porcine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (pADMSCs). Muscle differentiation was assessed through immunofluorescence staining with muscle markers, including Myosin heavy chain (MHC), Myogenin (MYOG), and Desmin. Source: Decellularised plant… Read more