Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
With the backing of Abu Dhabi's tech ecosystem Hub71, Orbillion Bio is cooking up a future where the UAE is a leading producer and exporter of meat without the need for cattle, land, or antibiotics.
The US-founded startup leverages advanced biotechnology to grow real beef from animal cells without slaughter.
In an interview with Aletihad, Patricia Bubner, CEO and founder of Orbillion Bio, explained the company's production process, which relies on cell culture technology that has long been used in the biopharma industry.
This includes extracting cells from a cow and growing them in bioreactors, where they're fed nutrients like amino acids, sugars, and oxygen.
The result is real muscle and fat cells that can be harvested and formed into ground beef products, from dumplings and kebabs to burgers and lasagna.
Although this process is traditionally expensive, Bubner noted that Orbillion's proprietary BioWare software and computational methods have helped cut production costs by 94%.
The company's first cell line came from Wagyu ribeye, chosen with help from a San Francisco butcher.
"We wanted to start with the best-tasting meat," said Bubner. "And the feedback we've gotten from butchers and food industry partners is that it tastes just like beef, because it is beef."
Though cultivated meat is still a relatively new concept for many consumers, Bubner is confident in growing interest across the Middle East.
"When people understand how it's made and taste it, they're much more open to it," she said. "The key is taste, price, and scale. We don't want people to compromise."
Unlike conventional meat, cultivated beef is produced without antibiotics or exposure to pathogens, making it cleaner and healthier, according to Bubner.
"There's no blood, no contamination, no fecal matter risks. It's a sterile process," she explained. "And we don't need to raise and slaughter animals."
This production approach also promises notable environmental benefits. Bubner noted that beef is among the most resource-intensive foods, as cows emit significant methane and require vast land and water resources.
Orbillion claims it can cut water usage by up to 90% and land use by more than 90% compared to traditional livestock farming.
Scaling Up in Abu Dhabi
Orbillion Bio began exploring the UAE market after early support from regional investors, opening the team's eyes to its growing focus on food security and climate innovation.
Since then, Bubner has made several visits to the region, culminating in the company's recent decision to set up operations in the UAE capital after joining Hub71.
Bubner described Abu Dhabi as "an ideal base" for climate-forward startups.
"We feel very supported. Hub71 is a great environment with access to investors, local producers, and fellow founders. And it's beautiful here."
Currently, the startup produces its cultivated beef in Europe while working toward regulatory approval to tap into the UAE market.
"The UAE imports most of its meat. We can reverse that," she said. "We want to build manufacturing here, create IP, hire from local universities, and scale a new industry. The UAE has the climate goals, the infrastructure, and the vision; it's a perfect fit."
The company aims to begin commercial sales by 2026–2027, with a longer-term goal of reaching commodity-level pricing by 2030 - around $4 per kilogramme.
