ORF Genetics (Iceland) and SeaWith (South Korea) have partnered to advance cultivated meat production by supplying SeaWith with ORF’s barley-produced, animal-free growth factors (branded MESOkine). The collaboration, outlined in an MOU, aims to enable SeaWith to commercialize cell-based Han‑Woo beef under its “Welldone” brand by 2025

SeaWith, a South Korean food‑tech startup, is developing cultured meat using seaweed-based growth media and scaffolding. They aim to serve cell‑based steak in Korean restaurants by 2022 and have already created prototypes that mimic steak texture; their algae-derived media replaces over 80% of fetal bovine serum, helping reduce costs.

The South Korean government has created a special zone designed for the development of cultivated foods, which will exempt companies from certain regulatory hurdles to help them commercialise their products.