A Newcastle biotech firm which says it will produce the UK’s first 100% lab-grown meat in the next 12 months has been taken over in a £1.75million deal.

London-based biotech firm BSF Enterprise has raised the money to buy tissue engineering firm 3D Bio Tissues and has floated its business on the Stock Market.

3DBT has valuable patent-protected IP that is already producing human corneas that could help restore vision to millions of people. It has three strands of IP, each with a different sector focus, development and revenue timeline.

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They are City-mix, an animal-free cell growth agent for culturing skin, muscle & fat cells which will be used for lab-grown meat and leather production

Lipopeptide Etsyl actively increases collagen production in human skin cells which can be used in cosmetic and skin care products

Tissue Templating using a platform to grow different tissues with natural structure and function such as corneas, lab-grown meat and leather & human skin substitutes.

Geoff Baker, Executive Director of BSF, said: “Our successful acquisition of 3DBT provides investors with exposure to an extremely exciting suite of IP which can be used for multiple applications across numerous fast-growing and transformative markets, including the lab grown meat and leather markets, as well as skin care.

“The skilled 3DBT team has already produced the world’s first human corneas, which is a fantastic feat given that 12.7m people worldwide are currently awaiting a cornea transplant.

“Together, we are now focused on building on this success, creating value by executing on the different verticals that our technology can be applied to. The market for lab-grown meat - which is expected to grow at an annual rate of 410% to 2030 - is just one of these, and our aim to produce the UK’s first cut of cultured meat in the next 12 months is expected to open doors to potential customers in the food supply chain.

“Importantly, demand for high-quality alternative protein sources is high, driven by the critical need to reduce global greenhouse gases, for which livestock farming is responsible for a staggering 24%.

“Our technology has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people around the world, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank our investors for their support in delivering this exciting milestone.”

Professor Chris Day, the Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University said: “The life sciences sector is at the heart of tackling many of society’s greatest challenges. 3D Bio Tissues and our other spin-out companies are translating cutting-edge research into real world solutions and are the engine room of economic growth.

“We have an excellent track record at Newcastle University in creating companies like 3D Bio Tissues and associated high-calibre jobs at the cutting edge of innovation. We are excited to work with BSF to further progress the 3DBioTissues technology.”

 

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