Melt&Marble, a company specializing in precision-fermented fats, has announced two significant additions to its leadership team as it prepares for large-scale commercial production.
Tue Hodal, a veteran of industrial biotech and pharma, has joined the company as its first Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Paulo Teixeira, previously the Chief Innovation Officer at Mycorena, has been appointed as the company’s new Product Manager.
Focus on bioprocess optimization
Hodal brings over 25 years of experience in operational expansion, particularly in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors. His past roles include high-level positions at major firms such as Chr. Hansen, Novo Nordisk, and Lundbeck. Most recently, he served as CTO at Bacthera, a company focused on bacterial biotherapeutics. At Melt&Marble, Hodal will oversee the optimization of bioprocesses and downstream operations as the company scales its production processes to meet commercial demand.
In a statement, Hodal noted the importance of sustainable food production and the role of Melt&Marble’s technology in reducing the carbon footprint of food systems. “The scalability of the technology has already been demonstrated, and I look forward to working with the team to expand our operations,” he said.
Shaping product development strategy
Teixeira, who holds a PhD in Bioengineering from Chalmers University of Technology, joins Melt&Marble after his tenure at Mycorena, where he was instrumental in developing the company’s mycoprotein ingredient.
In his new role, Teixeira will focus on shaping the company’s product development strategy, which includes enhancing the taste and mouthfeel of alternative food products. Teixeira expressed his commitment to sustainability, stating, “Melt&Marble has the world-class technology and expertise needed to overcome the taste and mouthfeel challenges in the alternative meat sector.”
Melt&Marble’s technology uses precision fermentation to create tailored fats by engineering the metabolism of yeast. These fats are designed for a variety of applications across industries, including food and personal care. The company has already demonstrated the scalability of its production process to tens of thousands of liters, with plans to expand to tonnes per batch this year.
Attracting investment and collaborations
The company’s precision fermentation platform has already attracted attention from investors and collaborators. In 2024, the company secured €2.76 million in grants from the European Union, which will support the scaling of its production capabilities. Additionally, Melt&Marble has partnered with Finnish food and dairy company Valio to explore the development of next-generation plant-based products using its fermented fats.
The company’s work is also supported by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator and the Horizon Europe DELICIOUS project, which are working to improve the functionality and taste of plant-based foods.
Anastasia Krivoruchko, co-founder and CEO of Melt&Marble, commented on the importance of the new hires for the company’s future growth. “We knew we needed a CTO with significant technical and operational expertise, someone who understands the unique challenges of scaling a startup to full commercial production. At the same time, Paulo brings valuable experience in translating unmet market needs into innovative products that offer consumers a sustainable alternative to animal-based and existing plant-based options.”
