Moolec Becomes First Molecular Farming Company to Achieve USDA Approval for Plant-Grown Animal Proteins

Rhea-AI Summary

Moolec Science SA (NASDAQ:MLEC) becomes the first molecular farming company to achieve USDA approval for plant-grown animal proteins. The approval of Moolec's genetically engineered soybean, Piggy Sooy™, marks a significant milestone in biotechnology, enabling the company to leverage science to address climate change and global food security concerns. The innovative ingredient is expected to revolutionize the food industry by offering a sustainable and nutritious alternative to traditional animal proteins.

Positive

• Moolec Science SA (NASDAQ:MLEC) achieves USDA approval for genetically engineered soybean, Piggy Sooy™, containing animal meat protein.
• The approval signifies a breakthrough in molecular farming technology, paving the way for sustainable solutions to climate change and food security challenges.
• The patented technology allows for high levels of expression of pork protein in Piggy Sooy™ seeds, providing a unique and functional ingredient for food manufacturers.
• Moolec's B2B go-to-market strategy aims to offer a product with a positive carbon and water footprint, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
• The approval sets the stage for expedited adoption of molecular farming technology in the food-industrial biotech landscape, enhancing operational efficiency and raw material sourcing.
• The company is in consultation with the FDA for the next regulatory milestone before the commercial availability of Piggy Sooy™ ingredient.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Biotechnology Expert

The USDA-APHIS approval of Moolec Science's genetically engineered soybean, Piggy Sooy™, is a significant development in the field of agricultural biotechnology. This indicates that the soybean, engineered to produce animal meat protein, is not a plant pest risk and clears a major regulatory hurdle. This advancement demonstrates the potential for molecular farming to contribute to sustainable agriculture by reducing reliance on animal farming, potentially minimizing the environmental impact of food production. The porcine myoglobin inclusion could attract food manufacturers aiming for products that cater to consumers' nutritional needs while being conscious of their carbon footprint. This operationally efficient bioengineered soybean could lead to higher yields and cost-effective production, potentially affecting the competitive dynamics in the plant-based protein market.

Agricultural Market Analyst

Moolec's introduction of Piggy Sooy™ into the market could be a game-changer for the food industry. With increasing consumer demand for sustainable and ethical food choices, a plant-grown animal protein could meet both needs while offering a novel nutritional profile. The B2B go-to-market strategy suggests that Moolec is targeting partnerships with larger food manufacturers rather than selling directly to consumers, potentially creating a new ingredient niche. This could also signify a disruptive trend where traditional soybean applications are supplemented or even replaced by this new offering. Tracking the adoption rate post-commercialization will be important for investors, as it will give insights into both the market acceptance and the potential for Moolec's growth and profitability.

Environmental Sustainability Analyst

The environmental implications of Moolec's Piggy Sooy™ could resonate with investors focused on sustainable and socially responsible investments. By potentially reducing the water and carbon footprint associated with traditional animal protein production, Moolec could align with key environmental initiatives and attract attention from ESG-focused funds. The long-term benefits of incorporating genetically engineered crops that yield animal proteins could be significant in terms of conservation of resources, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and offering a solution to the ethical concerns of livestock farming.

LUXEMBOURG / ACCESSWIRE / April 22, 2024 / Moolec Science SA (NASDAQ:MLEC)("The company"), a Molecular Farming food-ingredient company, announced today that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ("APHIS") of the U.S. Department of Agriculture ("USDA") has concluded its Regulatory Status Review ("RSR") for Moolec's genetically engineered ("GE") soybean Piggy Sooy™. See post online here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/23-234-01rsr-response.pdf ^[1].

USDA Piggy Sooy

The USDA-APHIS RSR determines that Moolec's genetically engineered soybean, accumulating animal meat protein, is unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk relative to non-engineered soybeans. Therefore, it is not subject to the APHIS regulation that governs the movement of organisms modified or produced through genetic engineering (as described in 7 CFR part 340).

"Moolec embraced Nasdaq's slogan 'Rewrite Tomorrow' and took it literally! We achieved an unprecedented milestone in biotechnology with the first-ever USDA-APHIS approval of this kind," stated Gastón Paladini, Moolec Science's CEO & Co-Founder. "We are unlocking the power of plants by leveraging science to overcome climate change and global food security concerns. I am very proud of the Moolec team, creating value for shareholders and the planet at the same time."

This milestone reinforces Moolec's B2B go-to-market strategy for Piggy Sooy™ product, an innovative, functional, and nutritious ingredient. By adding a well-known animal meat protein (porcine myoglobin) to the standard soybean proteins, the company expects to provide food manufacturers with a unique ingredient that will have a positive carbon and water footprint.

Martin Salinas, Chief of Technology & Co-Founder at Moolec, enthusiastically announced: "We believe this milestone sets the stage for a revolution in the food-industrial biotech landscape, paving the way for expedited adoption of Molecular Farming technology by other industry players. Also, this compelling advancement signifies a stride in enhancing our operational efficiency, transforming our methods of raw material sourcing, and optimizing our downstream crushing and processing operations."

In June 2023, the company announced that Piggy Sooy™ seeds had achieved high levels of expression of pork protein (up to 26.6% of the total soluble protein) and had patented their technology. The company clarifies that Piggy Sooy™ development is set to keep moving forward completing the necessary consultation with the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"). Moolec declares to be engaged in the consultation process with the FDA, representing the next pivotal regulatory milestone preceding the commercial availability of Piggy Sooy™ ingredient.

About Moolec Science SA

Moolec is a science-based ingredient company leader in the use of Molecular Farming technology for food and dietary supplementation markets. The Company's mission is to create unique food ingredients by engineering plants with animal protein genes. Its purpose is to redefine the way the world produces animal proteins, for good and for all. Moolec's technological approach aims to have the cost structure of plant-based solutions with the nutrition and functionality of animal-based ones. Moolec's technology has been under development for more than a decade and is known for pioneering the production of a bovine protein in a crop for the food industry. The Company's product portfolio and pipeline leverages the agronomic efficiency of broadly used target crops, like soybean, pea, and safflower to produce oils and proteins. Moolec also has an industrial and commercial R&D capability to complement the company's Molecular Farming technology. Moolec secures a growing international patent portfolio (25+, both granted and pending) for its Molecular Farming technology. The Company is run by a diverse team of Ph.Ds and Food Insiders, and operates in the United States, Europe, and South America. For more information, visit moolecscience.com and ir.moolecscience.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "forecast," "intend," "seek," "target," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "plan," "outlook," and "project" and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward-looking statements with respect to performance, prospects, revenues, and other aspects of the business of Moolec are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this press release, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors, about which we cannot be certain. We cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this press release will prove accurate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results, including, among others, changes in applicable laws or regulations, the possibility that Moolec may be adversely affected by economic, business and/or other competitive factors, costs related to the scaling up of Moolec's business and other risks and uncertainties, including those included under the header "Risk Factors" in Moolec's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), as well as Moolec's other filings with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Accordingly, you should not put undue reliance on these statements.

Contacts:

• Press & Media inquiries: comms@moolecscience.com
• Investor Relations inquiries: MoolecIR@icrinc.com | ir@moolecscience.com

^[1] In the first paragraph of the USDA-APHIS online response letter, please note that the term "gene editing" should be understood as "genetic engineering" due to an unintentional error that may be addressed in the coming days.

Contact Information

Catalina Jones
Chief of Staff & Sustainability
comms@moolecscience.com

Investor Relations
ir@moolecscience.com

Related Files

Moolec Becomes First Molecular Farming Company to Achieve USDA Approval for Plant-Grown Animal Proteins - 2024.04.22
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SOURCE: Moolec Science

View the original press release on newswire.com.

FAQ

What milestone did Moolec Science SA (NASDAQ:MLEC) achieve recently?

Moolec Science SA (NASDAQ:MLEC) became the first molecular farming company to receive USDA approval for plant-grown animal proteins.

What is the name of the genetically engineered soybean developed by Moolec?

The genetically engineered soybean developed by Moolec is called Piggy Sooy™.

What percentage of total soluble protein does Piggy Sooy™ seeds achieve in pork protein expression?

Piggy Sooy™ seeds achieve up to 26.6% of total soluble protein in pork protein expression.

What is the significance of Moolec's USDA approval for Piggy Sooy™?

The USDA approval signifies that Piggy Sooy™ is unlikely to pose increased plant pest risks and is not subject to APHIS regulations governing genetically engineered organisms.

What regulatory milestone is Moolec currently engaged in with the FDA?

Moolec is in the consultation process with the FDA, representing the next pivotal regulatory milestone preceding the commercial availability of Piggy Sooy™ ingredient.