Cell-based firm to acquire Because Animals

Canadian-based cell-based food company CULT Food Science announced its intent to acquire Chicago pet food brand Because Animals.

CULT’s subsidiary, Further Food, will acquire consumer brand assets, related patents, non-scientific intellectual property, and product formulations in return for a $500,000 (€457,000) promissory note and a 10% ownership stake in Further Food at a 4.35% interest rate.

The Because Animals pet food brands will be merged to form a new pet food division to commercialize cultivated pet food products.

The company set goals in place after estimating that the commercial pet food sector contributes a quarter of the factory farming industry’s environmental impact. Cellular agriculture technologies are believed to significantly reduce the ‘carbon pawprint’ without compromising pet nutrition and food quality.

Because Animals was founded in 2016 and is backed by VC funds, including Draper Associates, SOSV, and Norwegian conglomerate, Orkla. The company sells its products under the name Noochies!, which implements the use of its cell-cultured nutritional yeast called Bmmune™ in its dog and cat food products, including high-nutrition supplements, single-ingredient treats, and nutrition foods.

Company expansion 

The company also announced a partnership with Jellatech, an American start-up dedicated to developing animal-free collagen and gelatin ingredients to diversify the standing brand Indiana Pets with a line of collagen-enhanced pet foods.

The cell-cultured collagen is another branch in the sustainability field where low environmental impact is catered to without cutting down on wholesome and premium dog nutrition. The high-purity tier-1 collagen targets the active and senior dog market.

Apart from Noochies! (Because Animals) and Indiana Pet Foods, CULT’s pet food division has recently welcomed Marina Cat, a brand focused on using cell-based fish and marine ingredients for cats.