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Maruha Nichiro and UMAMI Bioworks Partner to Cultivate Cellular Bluefin Tuna, Pioneering Sustainable Seafood

JAPAN
Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Japanese seafood giant and Singaporean biotech firm join forces, leveraging fully-farmed bluefin tuna cells to accelerate the development and commercialization of lab-grown tuna for a sustainable future.

Tokyo – Maruha Nichiro Corporation, a leading global seafood conglomerate headquartered in Tokyo, has announced a significant joint development agreement with Singapore-based UMAMI Bioworks Pte Ltd., a pioneering cellular aquaculture company. Building upon their initial collaboration initiated in August 2023, the partnership will focus on the development and eventual commercialization of cellular bluefin tuna, marking a crucial step towards sustainable seafood production.

UMAMI Bioworks, strategically located in Singapore – a nation at the forefront of regulatory frameworks and market development for cellular agriculture – has already achieved success in creating and tasting cultivated seafood. Recognizing the escalating global demand for seafood and the pressing need for sustainable protein sources, Maruha Nichiro and UMAMI Bioworks are intensifying their efforts to develop lab-grown bluefin tuna. This collaboration aims to provide a consistent supply of high-quality protein while significantly reducing the strain on wild tuna populations, a resource facing high global demand.

In a landmark move, Maruha Nichiro, the first private company to achieve fully-farmed bluefin tuna in 2010, will provide UMAMI Bioworks with cells derived from its extensively researched and developed fully-farmed bluefin tuna. This marks the first provision of such cells and will enable UMAMI Bioworks to establish robust cell culture technology utilizing its proprietary platform. The collaboration strategically positions both companies to capitalize on the growing international appetite for bluefin tuna, fueled by the increasing popularity of Japanese cuisine in overseas markets.

This strategic partnership aligns with Maruha Nichiro's new long-term vision, which prioritizes "Sustainable protein provision" and "Creating health value." Moving forward, Maruha Nichiro remains committed to the sustainable procurement and securing of novel protein resources. The company will leverage its existing advanced processing technologies to develop a solutions-based business model, ensuring the stable delivery of diverse and sustainable seafood products to meet global consumer needs. The collaboration with UMAMI Bioworks underscores Maruha Nichiro's proactive approach to innovation and its commitment to shaping a more sustainable future for the seafood industry.

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