We are proud to join forces with seven prominent European agri-foodtech innovation clusters in the APROVALS project, an initiative designed to accelerate the deployment of emerging technologies in cellular agriculture (e.g. cultivated meat). As part of this pioneering effort, SmiLe will play a role in driving important regulatory advancements to pave the way for innovative and sustainable food solutions.
The project APROVALS—Accelerating PROteins innoVAtors beyond reguLatory Sandboxes—will run from autumn 2024 to spring 2027, marking a critical step in shaping the regulatory landscape for this transformative industry.
In the coming decades, society faces the challenge of feeding a growing global population, projected to reach 10 billion by 2050. The latest advancements in biotechnology could play a critical role in addressing this challenge.
Cellular agriculture offers a novel approach to food production, generating entirely new food categories—ranging from edible microbial cells (like bacteria, fungi, yeast, and algae) to food produced by precision fermentation, and animal cells cultivated in laboratories.
This groundbreaking technology will introduce new products, services, and business models, potentially disrupting existing markets and supply chains while challenging current regulatory frameworks. Policymakers must remain open to these innovations, anticipating their potential impact and adjusting regulations and policies accordingly.
The APROVALS project aims to generate sufficient data to support the necessary adaptations in regulations and policies.
The goal for this project is to promote the integration of emerging technologies in cellular agriculture through three key activities:
The participating organizations in the APROVALS project are:
SmiLe is a leading venture hub that specializes in advancing life science startups from concept to commercialization. We offer comprehensive support through every stage of entrepreneurship, including tailored incubation and acceleration programs, a variety of educational courses, and access to top-tier lab facilities. To date, our flagship incubator program has supported over 110 startups, facilitating their collective acquisition of more than EUR 1.05 billion in venture capital and contributing to 21 successful IPOs. Recognized as one of Europe’s leading startup hubs in 2024 by the Financial Times and Statista, SmiLe continues to be a catalyst for innovation in the life sciences sector. As a non-profit entity based in Lund, Sweden, SmiLe is supported by Region Skåne, Lund Municipality, Lund University, and Medicon Village. We are also backed by our partners Agilent, Sparbanken Skåne, Høiberg, Setterwalls, Zacco, Key2Compliance, Phase Holographic Imaging, ChemoMetec, Samplix, Qiagen, Merck, Bio-Rad, and AbbVie Scandinavia. For more information: www.smileventurehub.com