TurtleTree

TurtleTree is a food startup based in Singapore that uses cellular agriculture technology to produce animal-free milk. The startup grows mammary gland cells that are able to lactate milk. The company intends to produce breast milk at price parity with soy milk or animal milk, though the company reported a cost of USD 138 in December 2019 to produce one liter of its cultured milk. In October 2021, TurtleTree opened its first R&D facility in the US, expected to develop precision fermentation technology and serve as a hub for TurtleTree. The startup also developed lactoferrin—a protein found in both cow’s milk and human breast milk. The company intended to adopt a SaaS model that would allow it to license out the technology to other businesses.

In March 2023, the company announced the debut of the first precision fermentation-produced lactoferrin, LF+, a high-value bioactive milk protein and a powerful component of cow's milk. Later, in November 2023, the company achieved self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status LF+, enabling it to begin its US commercialization plans, targeting gaps in the lactoferrin market and the plant-based milk industry. Further, in February 2024, TurtleTree received vegan certification for LF+, making it the only vegan-certified lactoferrin product in the market.

Key customers and partnerships

Its subsidiary TurtleTree Scientific, which is dedicated to food grade growth factors, secured a fully-funded partnership with the global biotechnology company Dyadic International to develop recombinant protein growth factors at higher yields and low costs in bioreactors. In March 2021, the subsidiary also partnered with JSBiosciences for commercial-scale production of its cell-culture medium.

In May 2024, the company partnered with US company Cadence Cold Brew to launch Cadence Performance Coffee, a performance-enhancing espresso drink, made with LF+. In June 2024, the company partnered with Strive to incorporate its LF+ into an immunity support drink and a pre-prepared protein powder.

Funding and financials

In its latest funding round in October 2021, TurtleTree Labs secured USD 30 million in a Series A led by VERSO Capital. According to the startup, the funds were to be used to commercialize its novel products, created using its cell-based dairy ingredients in the US, through several B2B collaborations.