In this episode of Protein Production Technology International, Jacob Peterson, CEO and co-founder of ReMeat, discusses bold strategies to transform the cultivated meat sector. He explains how ReMeat is breaking from pharma-grade norms by leveraging beer-brewing know-how to create scalable, food-grade production systems. Jacob emphasizes the urgency of moving from lab-scale theory to commercial reality and urges the sector to shift toward collaboration over secrecy. He advocates for full-system turnkey solutions and partnerships with big food companies to accelerate market entry. With a new pilot facility launching soon, ReMeat is inviting others to test and co-develop scalable cultivated meat processes aimed at real-world adoption.

In this episode of Protein Production Technology International, Nityan Lal, Managing Partner at Icos Capital, shares investor insights into building scalable, sustainable food tech ventures. He explains how scale-up stage companies must show both strong growth and a clear path to profitability, with a particular emphasis on real market traction. Nityan highlights the importance of cost competitiveness in the protein sector, cautioning against premature scale-up and emphasizing the need for committed customers over interest alone. He also stresses that sustainability must be measurable and integral, not just a marketing claim, and shares how Icos balances impact with financial returns. 

In this episode of Protein Production Technology International, Romain Joly, Global Head of Proteins at Roquette, discusses how the company is advancing sustainable plant-based nutrition. He explores the growing consumer interest in hybrid protein solutions, performance nutrition, and emerging dietary needs like GLP-1-driven diets. Romain outlines challenges around sourcing and scaling organic and fava proteins, emphasizing the importance of scientific validation and local supply chain resilience. He also shares how Roquette uses AI-driven consumer insights to co-create tailored protein ingredients with partners worldwide. Looking ahead, Romain predicts that taste, affordability, and clear health benefits will shape the future of plant proteins.

In this episode of Protein Production Technology International, Keisha Stickland, co-founder and CEO of The Mushroom Meat Company, shares how a personal health journey led her to launch a clean-label, whole-food meat alternative business. She explains how functional mushrooms serve as both nutritional powerhouses and a scalable protein base, offering health benefits without compromising taste or texture. Drawing from her tech background, Keisha details a modular, platform-style approach to product development, enabling rapid iteration using simple, familiar ingredients. She highlights how constraints—financial, ingredient-based, and operational—have driven innovation and market focus. With a mission-first mindset and a lean team, the company aims to redefine meat alternatives by prioritizing real health benefits, culinary versatility, and transparency.

In this episode of Protein Production Technology International, Michelle Lu, founder and CEO of Novel Farms, outlines a pragmatic, first-principles approach to reducing the cost of cultivated meat. She explains how the company avoids overengineering by using food-grade inputs, simplified downstream processing, and contract manufacturing. Michelle discusses the importance of demystifying technical and economic barriers, particularly around media formulation, amino acid sourcing, and regulatory compliance. She also highlights opportunities in valorizing byproducts and targeting adjacent markets like pet food. With a sharp focus on cost, flavor, and scalability, Novel Farms aims to unlock the full potential of cultivated meat while staying grounded in commercial reality.

In this episode of Protein Production Technology International, Steve Simitzis, partner at Solvable Syndicate, shares his unique journey from software engineer to food tech investor, driven by a lifelong commitment to sustainability. He discusses the shift from early hype in cultivated meat to today’s focus on cost efficiency and commercialization. Steve emphasizes that scalability and execution now matter more than scientific novelty, and that founders must align their vision with market realities. He also highlights the growing role of alternative sectors like pet food in unlocking value and market access. Throughout, Steve calls for more capital-efficient models and smarter go-to-market strategies to drive real progress in alternative protein.

In this episode of Protein Production Technology International, experts explore the evolving field of analytics for next-generation protein sources. As traditional testing methods struggle to keep pace, the panel discusses the need for more accurate, scalable, and cost-effective solutions. Topics include challenges with measuring true protein content, the impact of sample variability, and the role of automation in improving reproducibility. Regulatory developments and the importance of global standards are also addressed, along with how AI and machine learning could transform functionality prediction. Featuring insights from Michelle Kuzio, Dr Lukas Brieger, Dr B.J. Bench, Dr Priera Panescu, Dr Lisa Zychowski, and Dr Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro.

In this episode of Protein Production Technology International, the focus is on hybrid food products and the technical strategies needed to scale them effectively. The session explores how inline blending and advanced measurement technologies can help producers overcome the complexities of mixing diverse ingredients while maintaining consistency, efficiency, and clean labels. Guest speaker Ryan Kromhout shares insights into how ultra-precise control over mass flow, density, and viscosity can improve product repeatability and reduce waste. Whether you’re working with high-viscosity inputs or aiming to optimize formulations, this episode offers practical guidance for both startups and established manufacturers exploring hybrid production.

In this episode of Protein Production Technology International, Elliot Swartz, Senior Principal Scientist at the Good Food Institute, discusses key cost drivers and emerging opportunities in cultivated meat. Elliot challenges outdated assumptions on media costs, revealing that amino acid prices are significantly lower than previously modeled. He explores how companies are innovating in equipment design, scaling strategies, and bioprocess efficiency to cut capital expenses and improve performance. Regulatory timelines remain a primary bottleneck, but examples like Vow in Australia offer promising blueprints for post-approval expansion. Elliot emphasizes the importance of open data sharing to accelerate progress and calls for more collaboration across the sector to bring cultivated meat closer to affordability and scale.