“As the global demand for proteins grows and more consumers seek to reduce their consumption of animal origin products, many in the food sector are looking into opportunities to expand the sources of proteins that can be both environmentally sustainable and nutritionally sound. Cell-based food, also often called cultured/cultivated meat, is considered an option.”

This call for presenters by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is pretty self-explanatory: the world is hungry for protein—but is it possible to meet this demand in a way that is both safe for humans, sustainable for the environment—and why not, harmless to animals? CellX CEO and co-founder Ziliang Yang and co-founder and Tech Lead, Dr. Ning Xiang flew to Tel Aviv in September to answer this question.

The pair were the only Chinese company representatives at the roundtable organized by the FAO and the Israeli Ministry of Health, titled “Cell Food and the Future of Food Security and Food Safety.” They joined an audience of government officials, academics, enterprises and industry organizations who came to discuss opportunities for cultivated meat in a world that is set to see a 73% increase in global animal meat consumption by 2050.

The presence of CellX at the event came as no surprise to those with experience in the global alternative protein sector. CellX was recently selected by Fortune Magazine for their Impact Fortune Award as one of the most impactful startups in China. In the first stages of CellX’s foundation, Lever provided initial funding and early support, which led to CellX becoming the fastest-growing cultivated meat company in China. In May, the Chinese cultivated meat company raised $10.6 million in a Series A round becoming the highest-funded cultured meat company in China. Taking the stage in Tel Aviv, Cell X’s team presented the challenges and opportunities of cultivated meat in China, drawing from their experience launching the first cultivated meat company in the country.

Representatives from the Israeli Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization emphasized the strategic importance of cultivated meat to combat climate change and ensure food security. By calling on governments, organizations, and companies worldwide to discuss and develop global industry standards and regulatory frameworks, attendees were optimistic that together they could help cultivated meat products reach the market more quickly and effectively.

While cultivated meat might still be considered a novelty in the protein world, its benefits for food security, climate change, and farm animals are tangible: Lever is committed to supporting forward-thinking entrepreneurs in Asia to accelerate the transition to more humane and sustainable protein sources.

CellX pork prototype. Photo by CellX.

“We are pleased to be invited to participate in this conference to share CellX’s progress and reflections in China and to work with our global peers to advance the cause of cultivated meat.”
-Ziliang Yang, Co-Founder and CEO, CellX

 

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