CPI and 3D Bio-Tissues to increase cellular meat production in UK

Independent technology innovation centre CPI has collaborated with 3D Bio-Tissues (3DBT) for a project, which aims to advance the cellular meat production.

Under this partnership, the two organisations will focus on enhancing cultured meat yields and removing the need for animal-based products.

Through this project, CPI and 3DBT intend to make cellular agriculture as sustainable and economical as possible.

3DBT CSO Dr Ricardo Gouveia said: ​“We’re delighted to work with CPI on this project. The expert support will help us to transform the production of cultured meat, making it economical, sustainable and accessible.

“We hope this will not only make it more appealing to consumers but will be crucial to meeting the nutritional needs of the growing population.”

A spin-out of Newcastle University, 3DBT intends to use the latest developments in cell and tissue engineering to develop high-yield, serum-free media for culturing muscle and fat cells.

Under this partnership, CPI will offer its expertise and facilities to support 3DBT’s development of cell feeding media, which uses a new class of growth-promoting supplements to increase biomass production.

3DBT said that the supplements can be sourced from existing agro-industrial byproducts, which not only reduces cost but also the carbon footprint of cultured meat production.

Innovate UK has also agreed to provide a grant to the project, which will be carried out at CPI’s National Biologics Manufacturing Centre in Darlington.

CPI Biologics chief technologist Clare Trippett said: ​“This project is an important step towards developing an efficient process for producing cultured meat at an industrial scale that will be accepted by consumers. We’re looking forward to working with 3DBT on this exciting project.”