UMAMI Bioworks

UMAMI Bioworks is a Singapore-headquartered biotech company developing an automated, modular production platform for cultivated seafood. The company focuses on creating sustainable, high-quality seafood products without compromising on taste or nutrition. UMAMI Bioworks utilizes novel stem cell biology, machine learning, and automation to establish a scalable cultivated fish production system. The company's proprietary ALKEMYST platform, a machine learning-based optimization tool, accelerates the discovery and industrialization of novel cell cultivation inputs and processes. UMAMI Bioworks prioritizes the development of endangered, threatened, and protected species that are difficult to farm commercially, such as eel and grouper. The company's technology enables the production of seafood free from heavy metals, antibiotics, and microplastics. In March 2024, UMAMI Bioworks merged with fellow Singapore-based cultivated protein business Shiok Meats to form a unified cultivated seafood platform, expanding its portfolio to include crustaceans like shrimp, crab, and lobster.

Key customers and partnerships

UMAMI Bioworks has established strategic partnerships with several food industry players. In July 2024, the company partnered with US-based Friends & Family Pet Food Co. to develop the world's first cat treats made from cultivated fish, scheduled for launch in Singapore and California in early 2025. UMAMI Bioworks has also secured commercial contracts with companies in Asian countries, including Japan and Malaysia. The company collaborates with Japanese seafood giant Maruha Nichiro, which invested an undisclosed sum in UMAMI Bioworks in 2023. Additionally, UMAMI Bioworks has partnered with a Malaysian company to build a pilot line for cultivated seafood products, expected to be operational in 2025 with a production capacity of 3,000 tonnes per year starting from 2026. In July 2024, the company announced collaborations with two Indian entities - IKP Knowledge Park in Bangalore and Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai - to accelerate research, development, and scale-up efforts for its cultivated seafood products.