Umami Bioworks to partner IKP Knowledge Park

INDIA – Bengaluru’s IKP Knowledge Park has announced a groundbreaking incubation collaboration with Umami Bioworks, a Singapore-based biotech platform specializing in cultivated seafood production. 

This partnership aims to expedite Umami Bioworks’ scale-up initiatives, with the Indian team spearheading the engineering and validation of their plug-and-play manufacturing technology.

Expressing enthusiasm about the partnership, Mihir Perhsad, founder and CEO of Umami Bioworks, highlighted India’s burgeoning biomanufacturing capabilities. 

“Collaborating with IKP Knowledge Park marks a significant step in our growth journey. India’s strengths in bioreactor engineering, process development, and large-scale production make it an ideal location for our tech transfer teams. IKP’s state-of-the-art facilities and understanding of the local ecosystem are invaluable as we establish our presence in India,” he stated.

The Centre for Smart Protein and Sustainable Material Innovation, recently inaugurated by IKP Knowledge Park in Bengaluru’s Koramangala, is poised to be a vibrant hub for researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders. 

The center fosters core R&D, innovation, and collaboration, making it a prime location for startups working on next-generation foods and materials. 

Equipped with cutting-edge technology, including biosafety cabinets, shaker incubators, freezers, homogenizers, and two ISO7 clean rooms, the facility operates round-the-clock and can support up to 20 fermentation, plant-based, and cultivated meat/seafood startups.

Umami Bioworks, having recently acquired Shiok Meats, has emerged as a leading global biotech company in the seafood sector. 

With the rising demand for sustainable seafood and the critical status of numerous fish species, Umami Bioworks is dedicated to providing nutritious and culturally relevant seafood alternatives. Their commitment aims to aid in marine ecosystem regeneration.

With backing from traditional protein giants like Japan’s Maruha Nichiro, Umami Bioworks is at the forefront of cellular agriculture.

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