Nexture Bio, a producer of animal-component-free microcarriers, scaffolds, and cell-attachment factors for use as food ingredients, has acquired Matrix Food Technologies (Matrix F.T.).
Matrix F.T. designs and manufactures plant-based, edible nanofiber scaffolds and microbeads for use in cultivated protein. Following the acquisition, the company’s patents, trade secrets, and data will be combined with Nexture Bio’s proprietary technology and industry expertise, enhancing the latter’s capabilities.
With its expanded portfolio of high-performing adherent cell culture products, Nexture Bio hopes to reach a wider range of customers and partners worldwide, including in the food and life sciences industries.
“Matrix F.T. had a robust portfolio of patents, large amounts of data on its animal-component-free and edible microcarrier and scaffold formulations, and a positive track record with a long list of customers,” said Teryn Wolfe, CEO of Nexture Bio. “With our expert team and ambitious vision, we are in an ideal place to capitalize on the acquired assets and to serve our customer base more efficiently and meaningfully.”

Addressing gaps in the market
Nexture Bio was founded in 2023 by the Generation Food Rural Partners Fund (GFRP), an RBIC-licensed investment fund that collaborates with universities across the US to commercialize intellectual property innovations in food, protein, and agriculture. The aim was to develop novel scaffoldings for whole-cut products, along with other technologies to support the cultivated meat industry.
Nexture Bio recently launched its first microcarrier product and reportedly has several more in the pipeline. The company currently operates a cell culture and research laboratory in Xenia, OH, and is renovating a pilot-scale Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) production facility in Vacaville, CA.
“There is a huge gap in the market when it comes to food-safe, ACF scaffolds for whole cuts,” said Tom Mastrobuoni, Chief Investment Officer at GFRP. “We started Nexture Bio to address that gap and are thrilled to see that the company has obtained such important data to promote adherent cell culture at scale.”