Wilk

Wilk (formerly Biomilk before December 2021) is the world’s first publicly listed cell-cultured milk company. The Israeli-based startup produces lab-cultured cow milk, cultured human breast milk, and high-grade human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) from isolated bovine mammary cells in a bioreactor. Wilk’s process includes proliferating cells in a bioreactor and once a particular number of cells have divided, emitting signals to start producing milk. 

In February 2022, Wilk received patent approval for its methods and systems for in-vitro milk production from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), making the startup an exclusive patent holder for research methods and technologies for the production of cultured milk and breastmilk. Further, in June 2022 , the company successfully produced the breast milk protein lactoferrin, a protein vital for the growth and development of infants. This breakthrough enables Wilk to expedite commercialization and offer breast milk components to infant formula producers. Wilk’s cultured breast milk also includes the complex carbohydrates that support the development of the immune system. 

Key customers and partnerships

In July 2021, following a strategic investment by the Central Bottling Company (CBC), a food and beverage manufacturer and marketer as well as the exclusive Israel franchisee of Coca-Cola, agreed and signed a strategic agreement with Wilk to transfer the developed Wilk products to CBC-owned Tara Dairy for the pilot commercial production.

In March 2022, Wilk joined Cellular Agriculture Europe, making it the first dairy company to join the coalition. In April 2023, following an investment in the company, Danone announced that it intended to collaborate with Wilk to develop cultured breast milk components for infant formula. Meanwhile, Stakeholder Foods announced that it aimed to explore strategic collaborations in cultured milk biology and printing technologies.