Biotech Firms Awarded €1.2M for Creating Animal-Free Cell Culture Media to Make Cultivated Meat a “Commercial Reality”

Biotech companies 3D Bio-Tissues and BioBetter have been awarded €1.2 million by EIT Food to develop animal-free cell culture media for cultivated meat production. The aim is to create more affordable and efficient alternatives to fetal bovine serum, a costly and ethically challenging component in cell-based products. The companies will focus on enhancing cell growth and achieving higher cell yields over the next two years, with plans to commercialize their innovations in the European market.

These developments represent a significant step towards making cultivated meat a commercial reality, with companies like The Cultivated B and Aleph Farms seeking approval for their products in EU member states. In the UK, Ivy Farm Technologies and GFI Europe are advocating for more agile regulations to support cultivated meat and alternative proteins. Overall, the innovation and progress in animal-free cell culture media are expected to drive prices down and transform sustainable meat production into a viable commercial option within the next few years.