UK-based Cellular Agriculture Ltd has announced a series of developments that advance its position as a technology provider for the cultivated food sector. The company, which focuses on modular bioreactor systems, has expanded its infrastructure, secured new collaborations, and laid out its pathway to industrial-scale production.
Bench-scale to pilot-scale
The company recently moved into a new 20,000-square-foot R&D facility at Corsham Science Park in Wiltshire. The site includes nine laboratories and a dedicated pilot hall, and is described by the company as one of the most advanced global environments for cell culture technology.
Vipul Jain, Interim Head of Commercial, stated, “This facility represents more than just scale; it represents capability, ambition, and readiness.” According to Jain, the new location will support the company’s transition from bench-scale research to pilot-scale operations.
World’s longest hollow fibre bioreactor
One of Cellular Agriculture Ltd’s most notable technical milestones involves the completion of multiple runs using what it claims is the world’s longest hollow fibre bioreactor for any cell culture application. The company says this system offers high performance with a smaller physical footprint compared to traditional cultivation methods. Its bioreactors are described as modular and agnostic to cell type or growth media, making them applicable across food, biopharma, cosmetics, and plant cell culture sectors.
Cellular Agriculture Ltd has also partnered with Campden BRI through Innovate UK funding, placing one of its bioreactor systems at Campden BRI’s site in Chipping Campden. This arrangement allows companies to test cell lines and media formulations without needing to make upfront investments in equipment.
“This is a win-win for the industry. Companies gain access to future-proof bioreactor technology without barrier to entry, while we prove that our bioreactors are genuinely universal,” said Jain.
Construction is currently underway for a pilot-scale production site, intended to bring the company’s technologies into an integrated industrial environment. The facility is scheduled to begin operations in the first quarter of 2026 and will include systems for automation, quality control, and in-situ harvesting. Cellular Agriculture Ltd says the site will serve to validate the commercial viability of its platform and reduce risk for industry partners and investors.
Investments in adjacent tech
In addition to technical development, the company has made strategic investments to support adjacent technologies. It was an early investor in EdiMembre, a Merck KGaA spin-out focused on producing edible fibres.
The company has also redesigned its website to present detailed information about its platform, technical capabilities, and current milestones. Jain continued, “Innovation thrives on openness. Our revamped website reflects our confidence in what we are building, and serves as an accessible resource for those who want to understand our technology, our progress, and the scale of the opportunity ahead.”
