Cell line developments and cell culture media components were identified
as the two regulatory topics of highest interest in 2024.
SINGAPORE – Rapid advancements in cultivated food technologies over the past decade have resulted in many companies seeking regulatory approvals in the APAC region. To support further commercialisation of these food products, a pair of new white papers developed by the APAC Regulatory Coordination Forum examine current gaps in two topics of regulatory significance and offer potential solutions and pathways for collaboration among academia, the industry, and food safety regulators.
The newly released white papers on cell line development and cell culture media components gathered inputs from cultivated food companies, industry associations, think tanks, and governmental agencies and regulators across ten APAC jurisdictions. As cell lines and culture media are two of the primary materials required to manufacture cultivated foods, experts in the Forum outlined eight areas where resolving current knowledge gaps and inconsistencies in safety assessments of these materials could support further innovation and commercialisation.
The White Paper on Cell Line Development covers issues related to cell line documentation, defining cell line stability, genetic modification, and trade requirements. The White Paper on Cell Culture Media Components covers safety assessment protocols and the assessment of expression systems for culture media substances, categorisation of culture media components and their quality standards, genetic engineering standards, and conceptualising conformity assessment procedures.
These resources serve as a valuable starting point to inform and empower regional regulators to co-develop internationally harmonised standards, guidelines, and recommendations on food safety aspects for cell lines and culture media inputs.
APAC-SCA Program Director Peter Yu: “Regulatory coordination is undoubtedly very important in this nascent stage of our industry. APAC Society for Cellular Agriculture instigated the Forum (early 2023), and has been co-coordinating it since October 2023 – a key milestone for our association and member companies. Collectively, we hope that the Forum can serve long-term benefits for a variety of stakeholders including cultivated meat companies, regulators, and ultimately our consumers.”
GFI APAC Managing Director Mirte Gosker: “International regulatory coordination is critical to unlocking the full economic potential of cultivated foods and bringing sustainable proteins to consumers across the world’s most populous region. By reducing trade barriers and streamlining safety approval processes for new protein sources, the APAC Regulatory Coordination Forum is building bridges for greater global collaboration and creating a roadmap to a more secure food future.”
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