source:giphy

Lifecycle Biotechnologies, supplier for the medical industry has a new cellular agriculture division. http://cellbased.link/vb1

Although the company has not disclosed names of companies they are working with, Lifecycle Biotechnologies will supply inputs necessary for formulating lab grown meat (confirmed by Aaron Schieving, VP of Sales and Marketing):

Cell Culture Media : A nutrient solution for growing tissue cells and in Lifecycle’s case, “custom media formulations optimized to fit the exact ratios of the metabolic needs of a precise cell line and production platform.”

: A nutrient solution for growing tissue cells and in Lifecycle’s case, “custom media formulations optimized to fit the exact ratios of the metabolic needs of a precise cell line and production platform.” Bioreactors : essentially the “processing” step in cellular agriculture where a cell based company take their cells from petri dish to commercial scale inside an aseptic and temperature controlled environment.

: essentially the “processing” step in cellular agriculture where a cell based company take their cells from petri dish to commercial scale inside an aseptic and temperature controlled environment. Scaffold: A supportive structure for cells to grow on. Lifecycle’s is made from albumin: a natural, editable and biodegradable protein source that is porous and sponge like to support cell seeding and migration.

Compared to Traditional Agriculture: Companies like ADM and Ingredion facilitate the processing segment of our current food system [at scale]. In a way, that’s what we’re seeing Lifecycle Biotechnologies stepping in to be for cell based food companies [at scale]. I’m still determining how lucrative and necessary the processor will be as the CBT landscape matures.

Investments

Intrexon (NASDAQ: XON) and Surterra Wellness inked a $100 million exclusive licensing deal. Surterra Wellness offers cannabinoid-based medical, health and wellness products. Under the agreement, XON will develop cannabinoids using their proprietary yeast fermentation platform. The deal includes milestone payments on each cannabinoid developed and royalty payments on each cannabinoid commercialized. This isn’t XON’s first weed partnership. http://cellbased.link/y3v

Why We Care: Intrexon’s target cost of goods sold = <$1000/kg.

Compared to:

Current COGS indoor growing: $5000-$10,000/kg

Current COGS outdoor growing: $3000-$5000/kg

It’s not all about the money…

Yeast fermentation enables XON to commercialize novel cannabinoids that are present in trace amounts in cannabis plants (of which there are hundreds). Surterra is looking to bring these novel cannabinoids to market to expand their unique product offerings in the nutraceutical space.

🔌 Take a deeper look: CBT comprehensive list of cannabis biotech companies.

Advancements

🧬Gene synthesis company GenScript (OTCMKTS: GNNSF) has announced the development of a new technology to increase efficiency and accuracy in long sequences of DNA.

Bottom Line: According to company press release, “long sequences of DNA are required for many current and future applications of synthetic biology, such as the development of new bio-based therapeutics, chemicals and materials, new methods of information processing and data storage, and new sources of food and energy.” http://cellbased.link/j45

—

If you enjoyed this post, please spread the word and share it on LinkedIn.