Cultivated fat heads to Asia as Hoxton Farms strikes deal with Sumitomo

UK-based biotechnology startup, Hoxton Farms, has entered a strategic partnership with Japanese conglomerate, Sumitomo Corporation, to bring its cultivated fat product, Hoxton Fat, to Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region. The collaboration aims to introduce a healthier, more sustainable food ingredient that could play a vital role in tackling some of Asia’s most pressing food and public health challenges.

Hoxton Fat is a cultivated pork fat grown from stem cells, designed to replicate the flavor, texture, and culinary performance of traditional animal fat – but with a far healthier nutritional profile. The ingredient can be used across a wide range of applications, from soups and sauces to processed meats, offering food manufacturers a drop-in replacement for animal fats and plant oils.

“With Sumitomo’s unmatched expertise and network, now is the time to bring our cultivated fat to Asia and set a new standard for food innovation,” commented Max Jamilly, CEO & Co-founder of Hoxton Farms. “This partnership with Sumitomo represents a huge step forward in our mission to create a deliciously fatty future.”

The partnership comes as Asia faces a growing nutrition and food security crisis. Rapid urbanization and rising incomes have led to increased consumption of high-fat, low-nutrient foods, contributing to rising obesity rates across the region. According to recent figures, over 40% of adults in the Asia–Pacific region are now overweight or obese, and up to 12% of total healthcare spending in the region is attributed to obesity-related illnesses.

In parallel, demand for meat in Asia is projected to increase by 78% by 2050, driving concerns about supply chain stability and environmental impact. Events such as the 2018 African Swine Fever outbreak in China, which led to the culling of 225 million pigs and an estimated US$111 billion in economic losses, have underscored the fragility of the region’s food systems.

Against this backdrop, Hoxton Fat offers a compelling solution. As a cultivated fat ingredient, it is free from animal slaughter, can be precisely formulated for improved nutritional outcomes, and has the potential to reduce the environmental footprint of conventional meat and fat production.

Hoxton Farms is currently developing versions of Hoxton Fat with tailored compositions, including options that are lower in saturated fat and enriched with beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids. These innovations are designed to address diet-related diseases and help food brands meet increasing demand for healthier alternatives without sacrificing flavor or mouthfeel.

The product is not yet available for consumers in Asia, but both Hoxton Farms and Sumitomo Corporation plan to work closely with regulatory authorities to gain approval for commercialization. In Japan, this includes engagement with the Japan Association for Cellular Agriculture (JACA), a non-profit think tank that supports the responsible adoption of cellular agriculture through policy guidance and industry dialogue.

Megumi Avigail Yoshitomi, President of JACA, welcomed the partnership, noting, “The collaboration between the Sumitomo Corporation and Hoxton Farms presents significant benefits for Japan, as it enables Japanese stakeholders efficient access to groundbreaking technologies, production facilities, and essential information regarding safety and taste in addressing challenges in food supply. We hope that this partnership will serve as a key pillar in strengthening bilateral cooperation between Japan and the UK in the field of food technology.”

For Sumitomo Corporation, the move represents a broader strategy to address food security and sustainability across Asia. “Cell-based foods are an innovative source of protein that can help address future food security challenges without the need for animal sacrifice and with a lower environmental impact,” added Takeo Kojima, Head of Sumitomo Corporation’s Agri-Innovation Unit. “We see Hoxton Farms’ cultured fat as a groundbreaking ingredient that contributes not only to better taste but also to sustainability. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to accelerate R&D in Asia, including regulatory development and supply chain expansion.”

The partnership also includes joint efforts to build awareness among consumers and industry stakeholders about the benefits of cultivated fat. Together, Hoxton Farms and Sumitomo aim to foster collaborations with food manufacturers across the region, enabling them to integrate Hoxton Fat into their product lines and help shape a more resilient, healthy, and sustainable food system.