Cultivated Meat Biomanfucturing Conference 2025 Successfully Bridge Policy, Industry, and Public Engagement in Southeast Asia
- Calisa Lim
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Penang, Malaysia – September 10, 2025 – Cell AgriTech together with the Asia-Pacific Society for Cellular Agriculture (APAC-SCA), successfully hosted the Biomanufacturing Conference 2025 themed “Seizing the Biomanufacturing Opportunity: Demonstrating Scale-Up in Cultivated Foods”. The full day conference brought together government agencies, policy makers, regulators, food manufacturers, investors, restaurant groups, and industry leaders, academia, and the public to explore the future of sustainable food systems through cellular agriculture and biomanufacturing.
The conference was officially opened by YB Fahmi, State EXCO for Agrotechnology & Food Security, underscoring the government’s strong commitment to advancing food innovation and security.
Regional and International Representation
The conference welcomed 160 participants, including representatives from key Malaysian agencies such as the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), JAKIM, NCER, Penang Halal International, and Bioeconomy Corporation. Regional expertise was brought by the Thailand Food & Drug Administration, Singapore’s Temasek Polytechnic, and the Japan Association for Cellular Agriculture. International perspectives were further enriched by contributions from Majlis Ugama Singapore Islam (MUIS) and leading voices in the global cultivated foods industry.
Key Themes and Highlights
The biomanufacturing conference addressed the most pressing opportunities and challenges in the cultivated foods industry, covering biomanufacturing opportunities and regulatory frameworks, the future outlook of cultivated foods across APAC, product cost studies and fundraising strategies, halal certification for cultivated foods, and lessons learned from recent regulatory journeys. Participants also gained insights into the safety, processes, and equipment behind cultivated meat production. A guided facility and laboratory tour offered live demonstrations and an interactive product showcase provided first-hand exposure to cultivated meat technologies.
Inspiring the Next Generation
A special programme was held for 30 student participants from the APAC-SCA (Student Chapter). Students participated in the conference activities, and enjoyed interactive workshops and facility tours, with a special session on cooking with alternative proteins. This initiative highlighted the role of youth in driving innovation and shaping the future of sustainable food.
Positive Outcomes
The event provided a rare platform for interactive Q&A sessions, fostering open dialogue between regulators, industry leaders, and the public. Participants left with a deeper understanding of cultivated foods, its safety, and its potential to strengthen food security, sustainability, and economic growth in Malaysia and the wider APAC region.
“This conference marks a milestone in bridging the gap between science, regulation, and society. By bringing stakeholders together, we are shaping an inclusive pathway for cultivated meat to thrive in Asia-Pacific.” – Jason Ng Chin Aik, Director of Cell AgriTech & Peter Yu, Program Director of APAC-SCA.
About APAC-SCA
The Asia-Pacific Society for Cellular Agriculture (APAC-SCA) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing cellular agriculture in the region. It serves as a collaborative platform for industry, academia, policy makers, and the public to accelerate innovation and ensure food security, sustainability, and economic growth amidst the growing demand for protein. For more information and future events, visit: https://www.apac-sca.org