Clever Carnivore: Pioneering Affordable Cultivated Meat Solutions in Chicago

Clever Carnivore, a Chicago-based startup specializing in cultivated meat, has been making waves in the industry since its inception in 2021. The company claims to produce cell culture media at an impressive price point of just 7 cents per liter at pilot scale. They are currently planning to establish a demo-scale plant, estimated to cost $4.5 million, which could achieve profitability within its first year of operation.

Foundation and Operations

Established by stem cell biologist Dr. Paul Burridge and sociologist Dr. Virginia Rangos, Clever Carnivore operates two 500-liter bioreactors, with a third in the pipeline. The firm is actively seeking capital to scale up to a demo facility with a capacity of 40,000 liters.

Innovative Cultivation Techniques

The startup’s primary focus is on developing non-GMO porcine cell lines, which Dr. Burridge claims can double in less than 14 hours when cultured in low-cost proprietary bioreactors. Their in-house “limited-ingredient” cell culture media is produced using recombinant growth factors through microbial fermentation, ensuring affordability and quality.

Real-World Applications

Clever Carnivore has conducted trials with various food products, such as bratwurst, breakfast sausages, hotdogs, and meatballs, integrating cultivated cells with traditional plant-based ingredients.

A Unique Approach to Efficiency

In a market where many competitors have overpromised, Clever Carnivore has focused on technological refinement and capital efficiency. “Necessity is the mother of invention,” Dr. Burridge remarked, highlighting the company’s commitment to resource management and innovation.

“Our current cost of food-grade cell culture media stands at $0.07 per liter,” he elaborated. “We expect even further reductions as we enhance our production capabilities.”

In-House Production for Competitive Edge

Central to Clever Carnivore’s success is its myoblast-derived cell type, designed to proliferate indefinitely. Dr. Burridge emphasized that the company is not genetically modifying their cells, as they’re committed to consumer acceptance in the cultivated meat market.

Product Development and Market Readiness

When asked about the importance of full differentiation of cultivated meat cells, Dr. Burridge conveyed a “hybrid” approach, combining cultivated and plant-based cells for better flavor and texture. Their bratwurst, for instance, consistently outperforms its 100% plant-based counterparts in taste tests.

Expanding Bioreactor Capacity

Clever Carnivore is eyeing bioreactors with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 liters for its demo plant, which they believe will achieve profitability in its inaugural year of operation. “We’ve been analyzing technoeconomic factors for two years now, and we trust our figures,” Burridge remarked.

Addressing Industry Challenges

Despite challenges surrounding the cultivated meat sector, Dr. Burridge remains optimistic: “It’s viable and profitable; success is merely a matter of time.” He anticipates having a saleable product ready within 18 months, contingent on FDA timelines, and foresees minimal regulatory hurdles due to the absence of genetic modifications in their products.

Looking Ahead

Addressing the current sentiment in the cultivated meat landscape, he stated, “It’s disheartening to see a lack of enthusiasm, given the viability of the technology as it stands today.” As the company prepares for a competitive market, Dr. Burridge remains focused on developing ground pork products, acknowledging that more intricate offerings like structured products may require additional time to refine.

Conclusion

Clever Carnivore is positioned to lead the charge in affordable cultivated meat solutions, with a focus on efficiency and consumer acceptance. As the industry evolves, innovations like those pioneered by Clever Carnivore could redefine meat production in the years to come.

Further Reading

• The death of cultivated meat has been greatly exaggerated, says report as Vow predicts it will soon be ‘unit margin positive’
• Meatable aims to start construction of pilot-scale cultivated meat facility in Singapore later this year
• GFI: There are ‘no silver bullets to fill funding gaps in cultivated meat’