ORF Genetics, a biotechnology company based in Kópavogur, Iceland, is making strides with its innovative plant biotechnology. Specializing in developing high-quality recombinant proteins, ORF Genetics has secured €5 million in funding to expand its MESOkine growth-factor portfolio. Recognized for its sustainable production methods using bioengineered barley, the company gears up to meet the demands of the growing cultivated meat industry. This development marks a significant move as cultivated meat production progresses from research to large-scale commercialization.
ORF Genetics has consistently emphasized sustainable biotechnology. The company was founded in 2001 and has since developed the Orfeus expression system, utilizing barley to produce recombinant proteins suitable for both human and animal applications. Recently, the company has intensified efforts to align its solutions with market needs, especially focusing on the cellular agriculture industry.
Why is ORF Genetics Focusing on Growth Factors?
The need for alternative and sustainable methods to produce growth factors has become a pivot for ORF Genetics. With its MESOkine product line, the company addresses the rising demand from cultivated meat producers looking for viable solutions. ORF Genetics states,
“We produce these proteins in bioengineered barley—a sustainable, safe, and highly cost-effective method—backed by 17 years of growth-factor manufacturing expertise.”
This focus aims to facilitate a transition toward eco-friendly meat production practices.
How Will Expansion Impact the Cultivated Meat Market?
ORF Genetics plans to scale up MESOkine production substantially to keep up with the cultivated meat sector’s shift to commercial levels. This scale-up includes a 14-fold increase by 2027 and a more ambitious 10,000-fold boost by 2032. Commenting on the expansion, the company noted,
“We aim to transform the industry by providing key ingredients needed for large-scale cultivated meat production.”
This strategy is poised to support the industry’s maturation by ensuring essential components are ready for extensive use.
Currently, ORF Genetics offers its recombinant proteins for various applications, including stem cell research and skincare through its BIOEFFECT line. Launched in 2010, BIOEFFECT includes plant-based versions of potent growth factors and has gained a strong consumer base. The MESOkine product, introduced in 2020, targets cellular agriculture, underscoring the company’s adaptive strategy in biotechnology applications.
The choice of bioengineered barley cultivated using renewable energy in Iceland reflects ORF Genetics’ commitment to ecological principles. By situating production in an environment-friendly greenhouse, the company continues to align innovation with sustainability.
The recent funding round reflects a growing confidence in ORF Genetics’ methodologies and potential to contribute significantly to the biotech sector. As demand for more sustainable food production systems increases, the company’s advancements are timely. Being at the forefront of biotech innovations, the company’s scale-up could influence similar strategies across the globe.
