Umami Bioworks

Umami Bioworks is a Singapore-headquartered cultivated seafood technology company founded in 2020 as Umami Meats by Mihir Pershad. In March 2024 it merged with fellow Singapore startup Shiok Meats, combining fish and crustacean cell lines under the Umami Bioworks name to build a shared production platform.

Its ALKEMYST platform applies genomics, stem-cell biology and machine learning to grow seafood cells for species facing supply pressure, such as Japanese eel and bluefin tuna, then licenses the production process to seafood manufacturers rather than selling directly to consumers. Industry partners include Asahi Kasei, Maruha Nichiro and Steakholder Foods, alongside regulatory filings underway in Singapore, the EU, UK, Australia and the US.

1. ALKEMYST platform: Combines genomics, stem-cell biology and machine learning for cell growth.

2. Species focus: Targets supply-pressured seafood such as eel, bluefin tuna and cod.

3. Licensing model: Production process licensed to seafood manufacturers, not sold direct.

4. Regulatory pipeline: Filings underway in Singapore, EU, UK, Australia and US.

5. Industry partnerships: Collaborations with Asahi Kasei, Maruha Nichiro, Steakholder Foods.

6. Combined R&D base: Merged fish and crustacean cell-line research after 2024 merger.