Moolec becomes the first molecular farming company to receive USDA approval for plant-based animal protein

LUXEMBOURG / ACCESSWIRE / April 22, 2024 / Moolec Science SA (NASDAQ:MLEC)(“The Company”), a Molecular Farming food ingredients company, today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (“APHIS”) ( “USDA”) has completed its Regulatory Status Review (“RSR”) for Moolec’s genetically engineered (“GE”) soybeans Piggy Sooy™. See the notice online here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/23-234-01rsr-response.pdf ⁽¹⁾.

The USDA-APHIS RSR finds that Moolec’s genetically engineered soybeans, which harvest animal meat proteins, are unlikely to pose an increased risk of plant pests compared to unengineered soybeans. Therefore, it is not subject to the APHIS regulations governing the movement of organisms modified or produced by genetic engineering (as described in 7 CFR part 340).

“Moolec embraced Nasdaq’s tagline ‘Rewrite Tomorrow’ and took it literally! We achieved an unprecedented milestone in biotechnology with the first-ever USDA-APHIS approval of this kind,” said Gastón Paladini, CEO and co-founder of Moolec Science. “We are unlocking the power of plants by using science to overcome climate change and global food security challenges. I am very proud of the Moolec team as they create value for shareholders and the planet at the same time.”

This milestone reinforces Moolec’s B2B go-to-market strategy for the Piggy Sooy™ product, an innovative, functional and nutritious ingredient. By adding a well-known animal meat protein (pork myoglobin) to standard soybean proteins, the company expects to provide food manufacturers with a unique ingredient that will have a positive carbon and water footprint.

Martin Salinas, head of technology and co-founder of Moolec, enthusiastically announced: “We believe this milestone paves the way for a revolution in the food industrial biotech landscape, paving the way for accelerated adoption of Molecular Farming technology by other players in the sector. This compelling progress also represents a step in improving our operational efficiencies, transforming our raw material sourcing practices and optimizing our downstream crushing and processing operations.”

In June 2023, the company announced that Piggy Sooy™ seeds had achieved high levels of pork protein expression (up to 26.6% of total soluble protein) and had patented their technology. The company makes it clear that the development of Piggy Sooy™ will continue to progress following the completion of necessary consultations with the US Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). Moolec states that it is involved in the consultation process with the FDA, which represents the next critical regulatory milestone prior to the commercial availability of the Piggy Sooy™ ingredient.

About Moolec Science SA

Moolec is a science-based ingredients company that is a leader in the use of Molecular Farming technology for the food and nutritional supplement markets. The company’s mission is to create unique food ingredients by engineering plants with animal protein genes. Its purpose is to redefine the way the world produces animal protein, for the better and for everyone. Moolec’s technological approach aims to combine the cost structure of plant-based solutions with the nutrition and functionality of animal solutions. Moolec’s technology has been in development for more than ten years and is known for its pioneering work in the production of bovine protein in a crop for the food industry. The company’s product portfolio and pipeline leverage the agronomic efficiencies of broadly used target crops, such as soybeans, peas and safflower, to produce oils and proteins. Moolec also has industrial and commercial R&D capabilities to complement the company’s Molecular Farming technology. Moolec secures a growing international patent portfolio (25+, both granted and pending) for its Molecular Farming technology. The company is led by a diverse team of PhDs and Food Insiders, and operates in the United States, Europe and South America. For more information, visit moolecscience.com and ir.moolecscience.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “predict,” “intend,” “seek,” “target,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan.” “outlook” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward-looking statements regarding performance, prospects, revenues and other aspects of Moolec’s business are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and are therefore subject to risks. and uncertainties. Although we believe we have a reasonable basis for any forward-looking statement in this press release, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors about which we cannot be certain. We cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this press release will prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, among other things, changes in applicable laws and regulations, the possibility that Moolec is adversely affected by economic, business and /or other competitive factors, costs related to scaling Moolec’s operations and other risks and uncertainties, including those included under the heading “Risk Factors” in Moolec’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as well as Moolec’s other filings with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on these statements.

Contacts:

⁽¹⁾ In the first paragraph of the USDA-APHIS online response letter, please note that the term “gene editing” should be interpreted as “genetic engineering” due to an unintentional error that may be corrected in the coming days.

Contact details

Catalina Jones
Chief of Staff & Sustainability
(email protected)

Investor Relations
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Moolec becomes the first molecular farming company to receive USDA approval for plant-based animal proteins – 22.04.2024
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SOURCE: Moolec science

View the original press release on newswire.com.