Key Takeaways
- Liberation Labs has received a strategic investment from the NEOM Investment Fund (NIF) to establish a precision-fermentation biomanufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia.
- The facility will support Topian, NEOM’s food company, in producing food ingredients and alternative proteins.
- The project is intended to contribute to food security, reduced import dependency, and the development of the novel-food sector in the Kingdom.
- The investment reflects Liberation Labs’ first entry into the Middle East and supports its plans to expand internationally.
- Key partners highlight the potential for technology-driven food production to support evolving food system needs.
Liberation Labs and NEOM Investment Fund Announce Strategic Partnership
Project to Support Food Technology Development in Saudi Arabia
Liberation Labs, a U.S.-based company specializing in precision-fermentation biomanufacturing, has entered into a partnership with the NEOM Investment Fund (NIF) to develop a biomanufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia. The facility will be designed to produce alternative proteins and food ingredients without the use of animal-based inputs.
This collaboration also involves Topian, NEOM’s food sector company, and represents Liberation Labs’ first project in the Middle East.
“The development of our first site in the Middle East, in partnership with NIF and Topian, is an opportunity to combine our biomanufacturing capabilities with their focus on food innovation,” said Mark Warner, CEO of Liberation Labs.
Precision Fermentation as a Food Production Method
Alternative Approach to Producing Food Ingredients
Liberation Labs builds facilities that use precision fermentation, a technology that enables the production of proteins and ingredients through microbial processes. This method is seen as an alternative to conventional agriculture, with potential applications in supply chain resilience, environmental efficiency, and localized production.
The facility in Saudi Arabia is intended to support Topian’s goals of developing novel food products and advancing domestic food production capacity.
“Liberation Labs’ expertise in precision fermentation will support the development of sustainable food production infrastructure in NEOM,” said Majid Mufti, CEO of NIF.
Focus on Food Security and Economic Development
Local Production and Employment Opportunities
According to Topian, the facility is expected to contribute to reducing reliance on imported food products, while offering potential for local job creation and the growth of high-value sectors such as alternative proteins and functional ingredients.
“This project supports our efforts to address future food system challenges, including the need for efficient and scalable production methods,” said Dr. Juan Carlos Motamayor, CEO of Topian.
Liberation Labs Expands International Presence
Middle East Facility Marks First for the Company in the Region
Liberation Labs currently develops purpose-built precision-fermentation infrastructure and aims to provide commercial-scale solutions for food companies. The partnership with NEOM marks a significant regional expansion for the company and aligns with its broader strategy to support the adoption of biotechnology in food production globally.
