PoLoPo expands molecular farming operations with first large-scale planting of protein-producing potatoes

PoLoPo, an innovative molecular farming company, has announced a significant advancement by moving beyond greenhouse operations and planting genetically modified potatoes in open fields. This marks the first large-scale cultivation of PoLoPo’s proprietary metabolic-engineered potato plants, designed to produce high levels of functional proteins in their tubers. The new planting, located in the Eshkol region of southern Israel, signals a transformative step for the molecular farming industry and offers a promising solution to challenges in the food protein market.

The current crop, which is expected to yield approximately three tons of potatoes by Spring 2025, represents a dramatic increase from the greenhouse-scale capacity of just a few tens of kilograms. This large-scale field trial aims to accelerate PoLoPo’s ability to supply functional protein powders to commercial partners for real-world applications.

PoLoPo’s CEO, Maya Sapir-Mir, highlighted the significance of this milestone. “To move from the lab to the greenhouse and now to field-growing has been exhilarating, and is an enormous step for us and the field of molecular farming. The increased yield of these field trials will be directed to commercial samples for our partners to immediately begin working with the product in food applications.”

The field trials serve several critical purposes for advancing PoLoPo’s molecular farming technology. The company is cultivating selected potato varieties that demonstrated exceptional potential in greenhouse trials, allowing them to produce larger samples for potential clients. Additionally, the trials include testing a wide range of new genotypes to identify other varieties that efficiently accumulate proteins in their tubers. PoLoPo is also revalidating the performance of previously selected genotypes under field conditions to ensure consistency, reliability, and quality in protein production.

PoLoPo’s proprietary metabolic engineering techniques turn potato plants into micro-biofactories, enabling them to manufacture and store proteins directly in their tubers. Once harvested, these proteins are extracted and dried into a functional protein powder that seamlessly integrates into existing food processing lines and formulations.

The company’s first target protein, ovalbumin (egg protein), offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional egg proteins. This innovation comes at a critical time for the food industry, which has faced supply chain instability, rising egg prices, and avian flu outbreaks. By producing ovalbumin through molecular farming, PoLoPo aims to provide a more reliable and resilient source of egg protein.

Additionally, PoLoPo is producing patatin, the native protein found in potatoes. Patatin is a versatile, allergy-friendly, high-quality protein with applications in the food, beverage, and nutraceutical industries.

PoLoPo’s field trials are being conducted in partnership with an experienced local grower in the Eshkol region, known for its ideal conditions for cultivating crops like potatoes and carrots. The collaboration leverages decades of agricultural expertise, ensuring the success of this groundbreaking initiative.

The company has also submitted an application for USDA regulatory approval, which is expected within weeks. Once approved, U.S.-based partners and growers will be able to cultivate PoLoPo’s protein-producing potato plants, potentially expanding the reach and impact of this technology.

PoLoPo’s advancements in molecular farming offer a sustainable, scalable solution to meet the growing demand for functional proteins. By using potatoes as biofactories, the company can produce proteins with a lower environmental footprint compared to traditional methods. This approach addresses key challenges in the protein market, including price volatility, supply chain disruptions, and sustainability concerns.

As PoLoPo prepares to harvest its first large-scale crop in 2025, the company is poised to make a significant impact on the food and nutraceutical industries. With innovative technology, strategic partnerships, and regulatory progress on the horizon, PoLoPo is leading the way in transforming how functional proteins are produced and supplied.