ORF Genetics, in partnership with South Korean innovator CellMeat, has presented cultivated shellfish meat at the Iceland Ocean Cluster, marking a significant milestone as the first tasting event of its kind outside Asia.

This event underscores Iceland’s growing reputation as a hub for food-related innovation, following its hosting of Europe’s first cultivated meat tasting last year.

In May 2024, ORF Genetics and Ivy Farm Technologies also hosted a tasting event for its cultivated wagyu beef at Iceland Innovation Week.

CellMeat, which has been developing cultivated shellfish since 2019, has positioned itself as a leader in the sector with its advanced production technology.

In June 2023, the company revealed that it had raised KRW 17.4 billion (approx. $13.34 million) in a funding round. That same month, it also opened a mass production centre in Guri, South Korea’s Gyeonggi province, after announcing that it had developed proprietary cell culture technology that enables the large-scale production of cell-based meat at an economically viable cost.

More recently, CellMeat has begun process development for cultivated meat using ORF Genetics’ MESOkine product line, a series of high-performance growth factors specifically designed to support sustainable meat alternatives.

Iceland's commitment to food innovation is evident, as the nation has become the first outside of South Korea and Singapore to sample cultivated shellfish.

Notable attendees at the tasting included Iceland's First Gentleman, Björn Skúlason, and the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, who experienced the products prepared by renowned South Korean chef Jinyoung Park.

For cultivated meat to become commercially viable, it is essential to scale production and lower costs – challenges that ORF Genetics aims to tackle with its MESOkine growth factors. These growth factors are derived from bioengineered barley, a method ORF has been refining to produce efficient and sustainable solutions for the cultivated meat industry.

Berglind Rán Ólafsdóttir, CEO of ORF Genetics, said: "I am proud of how Iceland has positioned itself at the forefront of food innovation, providing a platform for groundbreaking tasting experiences like this one at the Iceland Ocean Cluster".

She continued: "ORF Genetics' growth factors will not only enable cultivated meat producers like CellMeat to develop sustainable alternatives but also to scale up production to meet future demand. This is a crucial prerequisite for reducing the environmental impact of global food production.”

Giljun Park, CEO and founder of CellMeat, added: "Iceland, with its advanced technology and innovative policies such as reducing carbon emissions and maximising renewable energy production, is a leading country that perfectly aligns with our vision. I look forward to the growth of CellMeat through developing our collaboration with ORF Genetics and to seek further opportunities in Iceland.”

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