Montreal-based Opalia has closed a $3.2 million CAD seed round to advance its cell-based milk platform, with paid pre-commercial pilot agreements already in place with established dairy players. The company uses mammary cells cultivated in bioreactors to produce complete milk, positioning itself apart from precision fermentation approaches. Opalia's output is designed to be a direct substitute for conventional milk products, such as cheese, butter, and ice cream, without the need for reformulation.

Paid pilot agreements have been signed with major dairy players, including Hoogwegt and a leading global dairy group, spanning five countries across three continents. The funding will go towards scaling a modular bioreactor system, with a commercial launch targeted for 2028. Lead investor Nàdarra Ventures cited increasing global demand for dairy as a key driving factor for supporting Opalia's innovative approach to providing dairy products.