MyriaMeat, a cultivated meat start-up based in Munich, has announced a groundbreaking development in the production of lab-grown pork.

The company has successfully created pig muscle tissue from pluripotent stem cells that exhibits spontaneous contractions, marking the first instance of functional muscle tissue being developed outside of a living organism.

This development underscores the potential for producing real pork entirely outside of living animals, positioning cultivated meat as a direct alternative to conventionally farmed pork rather than merely a substitute.

MyriaMeat aims to replicate the characteristics of pork in a 1:1 ratio, which could enhance consumer acceptance, particularly among those hesitant to embrace plant-based alternatives.

Founded in 2022 as a spin-off from research at the University of Göttingen, MyriaMeat is spearheaded by CEO Florian Hüttner and chief scientific officer Malte Tiburcy. Their focus on utilizing pluripotent stem cells differentiates them from other companies in the cultivated meat industry, which often rely on cell cultures to create meat-like products.

“For the first time, an animal muscle – in this case from a pig – derived from pluripotent stem cells not only exhibits the properties of real tissue but also spontaneous contractions,” Tiburcy noted, highlighting the significance of this technology.

This advancement could facilitate the scalability of cultivated pork production, making it a viable option within the broader meat market. The ability to produce functional muscle tissue may also pave the way for more complex meat products in the future.

MyriaMeat is actively seeking partnerships with investors and stakeholders in the meat industry to further develop its technology. Hüttner emphasised the company’s intention to collaborate with existing meat producers rather than compete with them.

“The meat industry has established sales structures, expertise, and political networks that are invaluable for integrating cultured meat into the market,” he added.

The company’s collaborative approach aims to leverage these existing frameworks to facilitate the introduction of cultivated meat products, potentially benefiting both traditional agriculture and the emerging cultivated meat sector.

In addition to sustainability, MyriaMeat’s cultivated pork could address several safety concerns associated with conventional meat production. The risk of diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease is significantly reduced in cultivated meat production, which operates in a controlled laboratory environment.

Hüttner remarked: “Cultured meat not only provides an ethical and ecological solution but also minimises disease exposure without genetic manipulation”.

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