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Accelerating joint development with IntegriCulture


Ebara Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Ebara") has begun joint development with IntegriCulture Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "IntegriCulture"), a cell culture technology development startup, to scale up the "CulNet® system"*.

1. Background

In recent years, cell-based foods have been attracting worldwide attention as a new food production method using cell culture technology. As the world's population continues to grow and demand for meat and fish expands rapidly, there are concerns that food issues such as protein shortages will become more serious. On the other hand, it is said that it is difficult to cope with this issue through traditional livestock and farmed fish production alone, and this is expected to be one of the solutions.

2-1 Overview

IntegriCulture has developed its proprietary cell culture technology, the CulNet® system, as a platform for bioresource production technology to produce food, materials, leather, and more. This technology makes it possible to culture animal cells on a large scale and at low cost, and is expected to be used for a variety of purposes, including cultured meat. Ebara will use its accumulated fluid control technology and equipment design know-how to design and develop a scaled-up version of the CulNet® system, accelerating the realization of the cellular agriculture business.

3. Future developments

By designing and developing a scale-up version of the CulNet® system, we aim to streamline cell production technology and promote the widespread adoption of cellular agriculture in society. Going forward, we will continue to contribute to "creating an ever-evolving and prosperous lifestyle," as stated in our long-term vision, "E-Vision 2030."

The EBARA Group will address key ESG issues based on its long-term vision and medium-term management plan, aiming to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and further increase its corporate value.

*The CulNet system is a mechanism for simulating an environment that mimics the interactions between organs in an animal body. This technology makes it possible to culture animal cells on a large scale and at low cost, and research and development is being conducted with the aim of using it for a variety of purposes, including cultured meat. We have already achieved in-house production of growth factors (serum-like components), which are a major cost factor in cultured meat. Since the injection of expensive growth factors is no longer necessary, production costs can be significantly reduced.

Integriculture Inc.opens in a new tab
A cell culture technology development startup founded in October 2015. The company is developing its proprietary new cell culture technology, the "CulNet® system," as a platform for bioresource production technology to make food, materials, leather, and more, with the aim of utilizing it in a variety of fields.