CLUJ, ROMANIA and VIENNA, AUSTRIA — BioCraft Pet Nutrition and Prefera Petfood have teamed up to commercialize a hypoallergenic, complete-and-balanced cat food made with BioCraft’s cellular-cultivated mouse protein. The product, a mousse cat food, will be made almost entirely (99%) from the mouse protein, providing basic nutrients essential for pet health. 

Founded in early 2024 by several pet industry veterans, Prefera is a co-manufacturer of private-label, super-premium pet foods. The company offers a variety of wet formulas and textures for dogs and cats, touting hypoallergenic and functional benefits.

Palatability testing showed a "strong" preference for BioCraft's cell-cultivated mouse meat in wet cat food.

| Source: BioCraft Pet Nutrition

BioCraft’s cell-cultured mouse protein can serve as a hypoallergenic protein source and touts an Omega 6 to 3 ratio that is superior to traditional meat, according to the company. Additionally, the protein has been shown to provide a highly similar nutritional profile as standard meat slurry used in the pet food and treat industry, with comparable levels of taurine, lysine, methionine and tryptophan. Alongside its nutritional content, the protein has been validated to be free from bacterial pathogens, viruses, mycotoxins, molds, yeasts and other harmful compounds. BioCraft received registration to sell its cell-cultivated ingredients to European pet food producers earlier this year.

Prefera is leveraging BioCraft’s ingredient to create a functional and environmentally sustainable food that is identical to cats’ natural small prey diet. 

“As a company committed to the highest standards of safety and quality, using only real, identifiable ingredients without artificial additives or preservatives, our partnership with BioCraft helps us innovate in ways that benefit both pets and the environment,” said Nicola Magalini, general manager of Prefera Petfood. “This innovative collaboration marks a significant milestone in functional, sustainable and ancestrally appropriate pet nutrition.”

“Achieving a near 100% inclusion level of an animal cell-cultured ingredient for a final product is a game-changer for the pet food industry,” said Shannon Falconer, Ph.D., founder and chief executive officer of BioCraft. “Most cellular agriculture initiatives struggle to reach high inclusion levels of their ingredient in a final product; however, low inclusion levels don’t accomplish the objective of reducing our reliance on intensive animal agriculture. Prefera understands this, and with BioCraft’s cell-cultured ingredient has overcome this challenge.”

According to the companies, palatability tests have demonstrated “exceptional” acceptance among felines, with trials showing a preference for the cell-cultured mousse formula over conventional cat foods. 

“Cats are notoriously selective eaters, so we’re thrilled with the enthusiastic reception,” Magalini said. “It’s clear that our feline friends can’t tell the difference — except perhaps that they prefer it.”

Prefera and BioCraft will showcase the new formula during Zoomark International in Bologna, Italy, from May 5 to 7 at Pad. 36 Stand D47 — C48. 

Read more about the latest advancements in cultivated meat in pet nutrition.