What next for Meati? Setback for plaintiffs in David Protein lawsuit, Bayer slams glyphosate study, a 'mature era' of plant-based meat, cultivated meat media for 7 cents a liter, AI webinar

The big news this week: Yasir Abdul, the exec behind ‘As seen on TV’ infomercial company InvenTel, emerged as the mystery prospective buyer of struggling alt meat business Meati.

There was also a setback for plaintiffs in the antitrust lawsuit vs David Protein, as the judge said the plaintiffs had "not demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits."

Elsewhere, Revo Foods and Juicy Marbles pooled resources to launch mycoprotein-based 'Kinda Cod,' Rival Foods raised $11.6m to scale shear cell tech for plant-based whole cuts, and Future Fields netted $8m to expand its fruit fly biomanufacturing platform.

It was also a big week for cultivated meat: Vow secured approval for its cultivated quail in Australia, Clever Carnivore unveiled a path to profitability starting with media for just 7 cents a liter, and Hoxton Farms teamed up with Mitsui Chemicals to lower the COGS for cultivated fat.

Finally, in the world of agribusiness corporates, Bayer hit back at a new glyphosate study's "methodological flaws," while Corteva announced two new partnerships in ag biologicals.

Have a great weekend! Louisa, Elaine, Jenn, and Samuele

P.S. AgFunder is kicking off a new webinar series with Lumi AI next week to explore how cutting-edge analytics and AI are reshaping the retail and supply chain landscape. Sign up here.

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Infomercial specialist Yasir Abdul emerges as prospective Meati buyer as firm navigates ABC process

Meati has not lost much retail distribution in recent weeks despite all the uncertainty, says Ryan Bethencourt, who is assisting one prospective buyer as the firm navigates the ABC process. Elaine Watson

Setback for plaintiffs in David Protein, Epogee lawsuit as judge refuses to grant temporary restraining order

The judge handling an antitrust lawsuit vs David Protein says the plaintiffs "have not demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits." Elaine Watson

Bayer responds to new glyphosate study: 'It is clear this study has serious methodological flaws'

A group of EU and US scientists claims that low doses of the weed killer glyphosate "cause multiple types of cancer in rats." Jennifer Marston

Shinkei Systems will expand its robotic fishing operation thanks to a fresh catch of funding

Shinkei’s machine combines robotics with supply chain tracking, cold storage practices, and Japan’s ike jime fishing method, where fish are slaughtered via a spike to the brain that causes immediate brain death. Jennifer Marston

Juicy Marbles & Friends? Plant-based brands collaborate in ‘mature era’ of alt meat - AgFunder portfolio co!

The collaboration is a "prime example of how partnership can bring the whole field forward by allowing startups with different strengths to focus on their core expertise," says Revo Foods. Elaine Watson

Micropep and Corteva partner to accelerate growth of peptide-based biocontrol solutions

The two will conduct joint R&D and field tests using Micropep's small linear peptides for biocontrol and biofungicide applications. Jennifer Marston

Future Fields raises $8m: ‘Clients come to us because they’ve struggled with legacy protein platforms’ AgFunder portfolio co!

Fruit flies possess superior internal machinery versus microbial cells that can facilitate the production of more complex proteins, says the firm. Elaine Watson

Clever Carnivore’s pragmatic path to cultivated meat profitability, starting with $0.07/liter media

"We could have a saleable product that is also profitable in 18 months," claims Clever Carnivore CSO Dr. Paul Burridge. Elaine Watson

Rival Foods raises $11.6m to scale shear cell tech for plant-based whole cuts

Rival Foods has raised $11.6m in a Series B round to expand its shear cell technology, a novel approach to texturizing plant-based proteins. Elaine Watson

First Bite brings foodservice trade spending ‘out of the dark ages’ with digital rebates platform

Currently, says Reed McCord, managing rebates in the foodservice industry is a uniquely frustrating process. First Bite is on a mission to change that... Elaine Watson

Hoxton Farms teams up with Mitsui Chemicals to lower cultivated fat COGs - AgFunder portfolio co!

Hoxton Farms will incorporate a specialty polymer developed by Mitsui into its bioreactors to improve COGS, yield and manufacturability. Elaine Watson

The Week in AgriFoodTech: Fungu’it bags $4.6m, indoor saffron farming blooms, GM pigs deemed ‘safe’

Plus Tetra Pak opens new tech center for fermentation-derived foods and Planted inaugurates cutting-edge facility for plant-based meat. Samuele Gabbio

How are teams using AI in supply chains today, and what’s actually working?

How are cutting-edge analytics and AI reshaping the retail and supply chain landscape? Join guest speakers from Walmart, Accenture and Deloitte at noon EDT on June 25 in the first installment of a new webinar series hosted by AgFunder and portfolio company Lumi AI to explore real AI use cases delivering ROI in the supply chain.

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David fires back in Epogee lawsuit: ‘Plaintiffs only have themselves to blame for not signing long-term supply agreements’

“What plaintiffs are trying to dress up as an antitrust monopolization suit is nothing but a case of bad business planning – failing to secure long term supply contracts for an ingredient that they now say is important to their food business,” claims David Protein. Elaine Watson

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BiomEdit CEO: Next gen designer probiotics will disrupt the animal and human health market

BiomEdit's first product—a pair of genetically engineered microbes designed to protect broiler chickens from necrotic enteritis—could secure the regulatory green light by Q4, 2026. Elaine Watson

‘Pharma is eating Big Food’s lunch…’ Lembas fights back with GLP-1 boosting peptide

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