Another lab-grown protein firm exiting Singapore market

Although Singapore is the first country that approves the consumption of lab-grown meat protein, however interests in the product seems to be waning as another manufacturer has decided to exit the market.

Avant Proteins, producer of cell-cultured seafood, has announced the shutting down of its Singapore operations on 30 January due to significant liabilities.

Avant disclosed plan in 2021 to expand into Singapore by opening a research lab in collaboration with A*STAR’s Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI). The lab was launched to scale up production of food-grade cultivated fish fillets and fish maw. A*STAR reported that the collaboration concluded as scheduled two years later, with Avant establishing its own pilot facility in Woodlands. Avant subsequently ramped up operations at its Woodlands pilot facility, noting that it had contributed to public education on the future of animal proteins. However, on 11 February 2026, Avant Meat website went offline signifying the company’s decision to exit the market.

Cultivated lab grown meat is part of the larger alternative protein segment which also includes plant-based, insect protein, and fungi-based protein derived from fermentation. Cultivated meat is made by growing animal cells in bioreactors, similar to how beer is manufactured.

Established in 2018, HK-based Avant Proteins is Asia’s first cultivated fish company and has remained a private limited company by shares. Avant’s departure is the latest of at least 3 lab-grown meat companies that have struggled to scale operations in Singapore.

Cultivated meat sector faces significant hurdles since 2023, struggling to scale up due to difficulties in commercialising the technology, high costs, and uncertain consumer demand. The current economic challenges have also sealed the fate of this industry, leading to investors’ loss of confidence.

Recent checks on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority’s (ACRA) database found that Avant Biotechnology was still live, while Avant Proteins is in liquidation, as at 11 February.

Apart from cultivated meat, interest in plant-based protein has also declined. Once a prominent menu feature in restaurants, plant-based meat dishes have quietly disappeared while others have reduced their selections or moved them to optional add-ons at an extra charge. Nevertheless, it still manages to carve a small market share as improvement in taste and texture still lag behind consumer expectations.

From 2024 to 2025, total investment in the cultivated meat industry dipped by 74% from US$139 million to US$36 million.