Date: 21 January 2025

BSF Enterprise and Sartorius Sign Strategic Collaboration

to Drive Cost-Effective and Sustainable Biotech Solutions

BSF Enterprise (BSFE), through its 3D Bio-Tissues (3DBT) subsidiary, is transforming the biotech landscape with innovative technologies that include scaffold-free tissue engineered materials and patented macromolecular crowders, used as media additives to optimize cell growth. These chemically defined, bio-inert additives, marketed as City-Mix™ for the alternative protein industry and CytoBoost™ for the biopharma industry, positively affect cell behaviour, reducing the need for expensive growth factors or animal serum in cell culture media. These products provide tailored solutions for advancing cell research and production efficiency, marking a step forward in sustainable biotechnology.

To accelerate the impact of these technologies, 3DBT and Sartorius, a global leader in bioprocess solutions, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This strategic partnership aims to leverage the combined strengths of both companies, driving innovation and efficiency in the development of sustainable production methods.                               

The collaboration will focus on developing innovative solutions that enhance production efficiency and sustainability, aligning with industry goals of balancing affordability with environmental responsibility. By working together, Sartorius and 3DBT aim to explore new technologies and methodologies that could significantly impact the scalability and cost-effectiveness of lab-grown leather and alternative protein products. As part of the MoU and the partnership, Sartorius will support 3DBT with a range of cell culture platforms, technologies, and technical expertise to enable the joint development of a cost-effective large-scale production of cells and tissues used in the manufacture of 3DBT's leading lab-grown meat and leather products over the next 12 months.

This partnership reflects a mutual commitment to pioneering advancements in alternative protein technology and sustainability, paving the way for future innovations in the field. Both companies are eager to contribute their expertise and resources to this collaborative effort, which promises to deliver meaningful progress in the industry.

Dr. Che Connon, Managing Director of BSF Enterprise, stated: "Partnering with Sartorius is a pivotal moment for us. Their expertise extends beyond bioreactor technology  to encompass advanced equipment, innovative software solutions, process optimization, and scaling up. They are also skilled in the large-scale development and production of raw materials, including cell culture media, growth factors, and cytokines. Combined with our innovative macromolecular crowder additives, this opens the door to cost-effective, sustainable production solutions for the alternative protein and lab-grown leather industries. This partnership has the potential to be a game-changer in achieving scalability at reduced costs."

Dr. Érica Schulze, Business Development Manager at Sartorius, commented: "Sartorius excels in developing cutting-edge products and optimizing processes across various industries. Our commitment to sustainability drives us to optimize resource use and minimize waste, following circular economy principles. This dedication to innovation and sustainable bioprocessing aligns perfectly with our partnership goals."

About BSFE

BSF Enterprise PLC (BSF) develops and commercialises cutting-edge tissue-engineered solutions, including lab-grown leather, cultivated meat, and corneal repair technologies. By leveraging its proprietary scaffold-free platform, BSF aims to deliver sustainable alternatives to traditional materials and meet global demand for environmentally responsible innovations.      

About Sartorius

Sartorius is a leading partner in the biopharmaceutical industry, supporting the development and production of biotech drugs and vaccines from lab to commercial scale. Renowned for its state-of-the-art products and process optimization, Sartorius have also been a trusted supplier to the food and beverage industry for decades. This extensive experience has sharpened our expertise, fine-tuned our products and now put us in prime position to support advancements in food technology and production. Particularly in the area of novel foods where microorganisms and mammalian cells play a crucial role, such as cultivated meats, seafood, and dairy alternatives. 

Looking Ahead

This MoU represents a significant step toward delivering breakthrough solutions for the biotech industry. By aligning with Sartorius, BSF is well-positioned to drive innovation, reduce production costs, and advance sustainability in high-growth markets.

For further enquiries, please visit www.bsfenterprise.com or contact:

About BSF Enterprise PLC

BSF Enterprise PLC (BSF) is the parent to a portfolio of innovative subsidiary companies focused on developing and commercialising cell-based tissue engineering solutions to deliver sustainable outcomes across a variety of sectors. Its portfolio of subsidiaries is as follows:

3DBT A pioneering UK-based tissue engineering company that has developed scaffold-free tissue production processes as well as leading on the commercial use of macromolecular  crowders to transform cell culture.

Lab-Grown Leather Ltd A company focused on the customer driven development of cultivated skin technology to produce sustainable leather.

Kerato Ltd A tissue engineering company with patent-protected IP that is focussing on commercialising technologies for corneal repair with veterinary trials starting 2025 .

BSF Enterprise (Hong Kong) Limited A company established to actively support commercialisation of BSF's technology in China and Asia.

Cultured Meat Technologies (CMT) A 100% owned company, using technology developed within 3DBT, successfully produced the UK's first high-quality cultivated meat. Currently focused on providing the market with the premier platform for manufacturing cultivated meat in a scalable and cost-competitive manner.

BSF's core strategy is to acquire, invest in, or develop joint ventures with, the most promising companies from across the industry. In doing so BSF intends to create an environment in which its portfolio of companies can flourish and collaborate, thereby accelerating their progress, potential and time to market.