Uncommon Bio's Cultivated Meat Platform Transfers to Meatable, with the Former Focusing on Therapeutics

In a significant move, Dutch food tech startup Meatable has announced the acquisition of the cultivated meat platform and key staff from UK-based Uncommon Bio. This deal includes key technology, several intellectual property (IP) assets, high-performing cell lines, and expert staff, marking a significant step forward for Meatable's mission to revolutionise the food industry.

Meatable's Opti-ox technology, which uses pluripotent stem cells and a perfusion process, allows for the generation of fully differentiated muscle and fat cells in just four days. With this acquisition, Meatable aims to expand its product offerings and work with more breeds, including chicken and lamb.

The acquisition of Uncommon Bio's platform will also broaden Meatable's IP portfolio, adding additional patents and proprietary assets to its arsenal. One of the most significant attractions for Meatable was the regulatory-ready dossier compiled by Uncommon Bio, which could potentially lead to faster regulatory approval in multiple regions.

Uncommon Bio is spinning out to focus on therapeutics, building on the non-GMO mRNA reprogramming and saRNA differentiation technologies it has developed. Its polysaccharide-based delivery platform enables multi-pathway cell programming, offering a safe, efficient, and scalable alternative to multi-target therapies.

Meatable's CEO, Jeff Tripician, stated that the acquisition will enable the company to reliably deliver high-quality cultivated meat at a global scale. Meatable plans to file dossiers in six geographies, with Singapore as the first market, and is expecting approval by Q1 2025.

Speed to market is critical, and achieving this is often easier with a non-GMO product, according to Meatable's CTO. The company only had GMO options until now, but the acquisition will provide them with diversification across possible GMO and non-GMO product lines.

Meatable is in discussions with forward-looking meat companies globally, including in Southeast Asia, the UK, and the Middle East. The startup is also looking to secure around $35M in a Series C raise.

Uncommon Bio, formerly known as Higher Steaks, raised $30M in Series A funding in 2023, with investors including Sam Altman, Max Altman, and Sebastiano Castiglioni. Its initial target was severe lung diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, with this acquisition, the company is taking a new direction in the food industry.

Meatable's approach has shifted to becoming a supplier to the meat industry, providing cultivated ingredients for blended protein products. This move could potentially disrupt the traditional meat industry, offering a sustainable and ethical alternative to conventional meat production.