Revolutionary UK-based biotech firm, Clean Food Group, has set its sights on a greener and healthier future with an injection of £2.3 million in additional funding. The financial boost is poised to fast-track the commercialisation of its groundbreaking sustainable oils and fats technology.
Details on the Growth Round Funding
Leading the charge are heavyweight investors, Doehler Group and Alianza Team, both renowned for their expertise in the industrial food sector. This aligns with the global food industry’s growing commitment to sustainable and wholesome food solutions for generations to come. Notably, Agronomics and SEED Innovations Ltd, distinguished champions of Cellular Agriculture and global health opportunities respectively, have reaffirmed their support by joining this funding spree.
Why Is It Needed?
The freshly infused capital is expected to propel Clean Food Group’s technology platform to new heights, accelerating its expansion and navigating complex regulatory and commercial avenues. With an eye on 2024, Clean Food Group anticipates a triumphant Series A funding round that coincides with the validation of its technology’s commercial viability. This milestone will be complemented by a robust pipeline for generating near-term revenue, with the Series A funding set to facilitate the establishment of a large-scale manufacturing facility.
The dynamic duo of partnerships that Clean Food Group has entered is a testament to its ambition. Alongside the aforementioned collaboration with Alianza Team, a strategic services alliance with Doehler Group has been forged. This pact is primed to turbocharge the fermentation process to an industrial scale. The result? The production of product batches essential for regulatory approval in both cosmetic and food applications. Impressive strides have already been made, as evidenced by the successful fermentation run at 1,000 litres. The grand finale of this endeavour will see the completion of product batch manufacturing for regulatory green lights later this year.
Strengthening its core team is pivotal, and Clean Food Group has done just that. The appointment of Dr. James Mercer as Head of Manufacturing and Scale-up, and Andrea Cattaruzza as Head of Product, demonstrates a firm commitment to expertise. Dr. Mercer, a seasoned veteran with over 25 years of experience in alternative proteins and industrial fermentation, brings his invaluable insight from leadership roles at distinguished entities such as Quorn and DuPont. Andrea Cattaruzza, with a remarkable 30-year journey at Mars Global Chocolate, is set to sculpt Clean Food Group’s product strategy, cultivating high-performance sustainable ingredients for their partners.
The Man Leading Change
At the helm of this groundbreaking technology is Professor Chris Chuck, the Technical Lead at Clean Food Group. His eight-year odyssey of pioneering research has culminated in a proprietary platform that harnesses proven yeast strains and fermentation techniques, utilising food waste as its nourishing substrate. This innovative approach champions sustainable alternatives to conventional oil and fat ingredients, heralding a new era of conscientious and forward-looking food solutions.