UK-based cultivated fat startup Hoxton Farms has forged strategic collaborations in Japan aimed at accelerating the biomanufacturing of cultivated fat across multiple industries while addressing public health and food security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. Hoxton Farms recently announced a partnership with Japanese chemicals giant Mitsui Chemicals, which has also made a strategic investment in the startup. Together, they plan to incorporate Mitsui’s advanced polymer materials into Hoxton Farms’ proprietary bioreactors to scale production of cultivated fat more cost-effectively, targeting applications in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable materials.

Max Jamilly, CEO of Hoxton Farms and a synthetic biologist, explained that the collaboration focuses initially on enhancing their bioreactors for cultivated fat production. The specialty polymer from Mitsui is expected to improve cost of goods sold (COGS), yield, and manufacturability, setting the stage for large-scale commercial production. Unlike traditional stirred tank reactors common in cultivated meat production, Hoxton Farms’ “ultra scale-out” (USO) bioreactors use many small, modular units in parallel, which reportedly lowers capital expenditures and operating costs by more than tenfold, enabling more scalable and efficient stem cell culture.

This development comes amid growing government support for biomanufacturing in Japan and broader Asia-Pacific markets, where efforts in Japan, South Korea, and China are advancing bioeconomy strategies. Jamilly is actively building manufacturing and commercial partnerships across the region ahead of Hoxton Farms’ planned market launches in 2026 or 2027. He emphasised that while cultivated meat remains challenging economically, cultivated fat offers a more viable route to market as a high-impact, low-inclusion ingredient that grows faster than muscle tissue.

In parallel, Hoxton Farms has teamed up with Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Corporation to bring Hoxton Fat—cultivated pork fat derived from stem cells—to the Asia-Pacific food market. The partnership seeks to provide a healthier and more sustainable alternative to traditional animal fats, which is especially critical given the rising meat consumption and concerning obesity rates across the region. Over 40% of adults in Asia-Pacific are classified as overweight or obese, with significant healthcare costs linked to obesity-related diseases. Sumitomo’s expertise in agri-food and supply chain management will support Hoxton Farms in integrating cultivated fat into food products and navigating regulatory pathways.

The companies are working closely with regulators, including the Japan Association for Cellular Agriculture (JACA), to secure necessary approvals before commercialization. Hoxton Farms is also preparing regulatory submissions in the UK, the US, and Singapore, aiming for approvals by the end of the year. The cultivated fat ingredient replicates the flavour, texture, and culinary performance of traditional animal fats but with a healthier nutritional profile, positioning it as an innovative ingredient for food manufacturers across Asia and beyond.

Together, these partnerships position Hoxton Farms at the forefront of the cultivated fat market, combining pioneering biomanufacturing technologies with strategic regional alliances. The company claims these collaborations could extend beyond food applications to impact drug discovery, regenerative medicine, and cell and gene therapies, underscoring the broader potential of scalable biomanufacturing innovations.

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Source: Noah Wire Services