Sea2Cell

The Problem

Sea2Cell is addressing several critical problems and needs related to the production and consumption of fish:

1. Rising Demand and Depleting Fish Stocks: The world's appetite for fish and seafood is increasing, leading to a higher demand for fish products. However, traditional fishing practices have led to overfishing and depletion of fish stocks in oceans and seas. As a result, many fish species are at risk of extinction, and the entire food chain in marine ecosystems is in danger.
2. Health concerns. Consuming fish caught or farm-raised in polluted waters can pose health risks to humans due to potential contamination by toxins, Mercury, heavy metals, microplastics and pollutants present in the aquatic environment.
3. Environmental Impact of Fishing: Traditional fishing methods, such as using large fishing vessels and nets, have a significant environmental impact. They can lead to a bycatch of non-target species, damage to marine habitats, and disruption of marine ecosystems. The excessive fishing pressure on marine resources also contributes to the degradation of marine biodiversity and the health of the oceans.
4. Unsustainable Aquaculture Practices: While aquaculture (fish farming) has become an important source of fish production, it also faces challenges. Some fish farms can cause water pollution and spread diseases to wild fish populations. Additionally, the reliance on wild-caught fish as feed for farmed fish creates further pressure on fish stocks.
5. Rising Fish Prices: Due to the increasing demand and declining fish stocks, the prices of fish products are rising. This can lead to affordability issues for consumers and businesses that rely on fish as part of their diet or supply chain.

The Need

The technology for producing cultivated fish products presents a groundbreaking solution to the environmental, health, and ethical challenges associated with fish supply and consumption. However, in order to make cell-based fish commercially viable, it is imperative to significantly reduce production costs, which are derived mainly from the high costs of media used to grow the cells.

The Solution

Sea2Cell offers an innovative solution to the pressing production challenges caused by the high cost of media ingredients essential for cell growth, otherwise known as Growth Factors.

Reducing the costs of growth factors in the production process of cell-based fish is crucial to ensure the scalability, sustainability, and affordability of this innovative approach to fish production. Growth factors play a pivotal role in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue development, mimicking the natural growth progression of fish. However, the high expenses associated with sourcing and synthesizing these growth factors can hinder the economic viability of cell-based fish production.

Sea2cell's unique technology, based on the most advanced molecular and genetic tools, is designed with the aim of effectively reducing these costs, thereby enabling accelerated transitions from laboratory-scale experiments to large-scale commercial production. It has the potential to make fish meat production more cost-effective, counteracting the rising fish prices. By providing a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional fishing and aquaculture, Sea2Cell's innovative solution not only addresses pressing ecological concerns but also plays a crucial role in ensuring the future food security of a rapidly growing global population.

The Technology

Sea2Cell revolutionizes the sustainable production of cell-based fish by employing the most advanced techniques in molecular biology and genetics, including genetic engineering, to generate patent-protected stable fish cell lines capable of autonomously expressing and secreting functional growth factors.  These naturally occurring molecules play a vital role in regulating cell growth, differentiation, and survival by binding to specific receptors and initiating internal signaling pathways. The costs of these growth factors within the cell culture media pose challenges to production and scalability. Sea2Cell's breakthrough technology directly addresses this obstacle, substantially reducing production costs and positioning them as pioneers within the cultivated fish industry.

Sea2Cell technology eliminates almost completely the need to add these molecules to the media because the cells produce them themselves in a self-sufficient manner. By circumventing the need for costly external sources of growth factors, Sea2Cell not only enhances the economic feasibility of its approach but also establishes a distinctive business model, setting it apart in a competitive landscape. Their innovative solution not only drives down expenses but also potentially transforms the industry, paving the way for sustainable and scalable cultivated fish production.

Media Coverage

Sea2Cell - Globes Link to the article

Sea2Cell - Calcalist Link to the article

Keshet 12 - The Foodtech Conference of Israel

Fresh Start's Incubator presents its portfolio companies, including Sea2Cell

Dr. Orna Harel presents Sea2Cell on the demo day of Fresh Start's greenhouse for the year 2022

Dr. Orna Harel is a guest on the podcast "Kol Ha'Universita - The Challenge to Save the Oceans

Dr. Orna Harel is a guest on the podcast "Founders DNA by ThinkUp".