Iceland-based ORF Genetics has entered into a partnership with South Korean company SeaWith to boost the production of cell-based meat using ORF’s animal-free growth factors (GFs) made from barley.

ORF Genetics specialises in producing animal-free GFs – which are crucial for cell-based meat production – derived from barley under the MESOkine brand. SeaWith uses brown algae as 3D cell culture scaffolds and micro-algae extract as a serum replacement in cell culture media.

SeaWith anticipates that the collaboration, outlined in a MOU, will enable it to secure a stable supply of GFs from ORF Genetics, accelerating its product commercialisation of cell-based meat. SeaWith's goal is to introduce cell-based meat products to market, under its Welldone brand, by year 2025 – particularly cultivated beef using cells derived from the Korean native Han-Woo breed.

The MOU also highlights plans for further joint R&D initiatives in the realm of GFs for cell-based meat production.

Berglind Rán Ólafsdóttir, CEO of ORF Genetics, said: "This collaboration represents a significant milestone for ORF Genetics, as we are already at the forefront of GF production for cultivated meat. This partnership will reinforce our position in this rapidly expanding market. We are also very excited to partner up with SeaWith on further research and development in this field.”

Lee Hee-jae, CEO of SeaWith, added: “Through this collaboration, we have laid the foundation for securing materials for stable mass production of cultured meat. We are working on securing research and development and production facilities with the goal of commercialising our own brand ‘Welldone’ products in 2025. Now we can accelerate even more in this rapidly growing and crucial market.”

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