Two Singapore cultivated seafood companies have merged. Shiok Meats Pte. Ltd., a portfolio company of Agronomics, has been acquired by Umami Bioworks Pte. Ltd. in a share-for-share transaction.
“This merger leverages the unique strengths of Umami Bioworks' innovative production platform and enabling technologies and Shiok Meats' pioneering research in crustacean cell cultivation,” said the March 12 announcement. “Based in Singapore, the combined entity anticipates synergies that will enhance go-to-market efficiencies, expand commercial opportunities and accelerate regulatory approvals and market introduction of cultivated seafood.”
Shiok has focused on cell-cultured crustaceans while Umami Bioworks pursues species of fish that are endangered or not easily farmed sustainably, such as eel and grouper.
Singapore was the first country to approve cultivated meat – the cultivated chicken nuggets from U.S. firm Eat Just. With its density of population and little agricultural base, most of its food is imported, making domestic lab-grown meats and fish an attractive proposition.
