Grey Silo Ventures' paper explores the shift from "pharming"—using genetically modified plants for pharmaceuticals—towards "farming," where engineered plants produce functional ingredients for human and animal nutrition. Despite initial challenges, Molecular Farming is gaining momentum due to its potential to revolutionize food production and sustainability.
The paper delves into the technologies and methods of Molecular Farming, such as transient vs. stable transformation and virus-induced transformation, with a focus on the production systems of the original plants (open field, greenhouses, vertical farming).
Several startup companies are now exploring this field to produce food and industrial proteins, which hold significant market potential. The paper identifies key promising areas for molecular farming, including:
- Dairy proteins
- Enzymes
- Collagen
- Egg proteins
- Growth factors
The paper highlights major startups in this field, such as Aspyre Foods, Bright Biotech, IngredientWerks, CollPlant Biotechnologies, Kyomei, Miruku, and PoLoPo, which have been extensively explored through one-on-one interviews.
As the global population is projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, the demand for meat is surging, especially in emerging middle-income countries, innovative technologies like alternative proteins and plant molecular farming are gaining attention. These methods offer cost-effective, scalable solutions, reducing reliance on expensive bioreactors and transgenic animals. Investors are taking note, with significant investments in this growing sector, marking it as a key area for future food innovation.
Download the full paper
to explore the world of cocoa alternatives, gaining insights into cocoa history, market trends, investment opportunities, and the major players in this emerging field.
