Simple Planet Unveils Serum-Free Cell Culture Medium, Slashing Costs by 99.8%

South Korea-based alternative protein company Simple Planet has developed a serum-free cell culture medium for use in cell-based food production, biopharmaceuticals, and regenerative medicine. The medium, created through probiotics recycling, is set to launch globally in 2025, offering a significant reduction in production costs compared to traditional media by eliminating the use of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and its associated ethical concerns.

Successful trials have shown that the formulation enhances myoblast cell proliferation without compromising cell morphology, making it a promising alternative to serum-based media. In addition to a general-use medium, Simple Planet has developed specialized formulations for specific cell types, including a bovine myoblast-specific medium. The company aims to make cell culture technology more accessible and cost-effective by leveraging probiotics-derived metabolites and addressing the challenges of conventional media reliant on animal-derived ingredients.