ImpacFat, a biotechnology company from Singapore, has announced its expansion into Japan with the opening of a new research and development hub in Tokyo. Backed by strategic investments from major Japanese firms, this reinforces the company’s role in advancing sustainable food technologies. The announcement was made at a press event held in the Takanawa Gateway City, a leading innovation district in Tokyo.
ImpacFat’s first international move
The new facility in Japan marks the company’s first international expansion beyond Singapore. ImpacFat has entered into a service contract with JR East, which will allow the company to establish a shared office and laboratory at the Link Scholar’s Hub (LiSH) in Tokyo. The new location will serve as a base for developing cultivated food technologies and facilitating collaboration with local researchers, partners, and industry players.
“Expanding into Japan is a defining moment for ImpacFat. Japan has long been a global leader in food innovation, and we are honoured to work alongside Toyo Seikan Group, Leave a Nest, and our other Japanese partners to build a sustainable cultivated food ecosystem. By establishing our presence in Takanawa Gateway City, we hope to connect science, innovation, and sustainability to create meaningful impact for both Singapore and Japan,” said Mandy Hon, CEO and Co-Founder of ImpacFat.
World’s first cultivated omega-3 fish fat
ImpacFat, founded as an A*STAR spin-off in Singapore, claims to be the world’s first cultivated omega-3 fish fat using stem-cell technology. The company’s products aim to replace traditional animal-derived fats with sustainable fat alternatives, supporting human health and wellness while contributing to marine biodiversity conservation.
The company has also secured key investments from several prominent Japanese and regional companies. These include Toyo Seikan Group, a leader in packaging and materials innovation, and 144 Ventures, the venture capital arm of Leave a Nest Group, which focuses on fostering deep-tech and life sciences ventures. Mr. Lin Xiangliang, CEO of Esco Aster, a global leader in contract development and manufacturing for biopharma and foodtech, also participated in the investment round.
The involvement of these investors signals strong confidence in ImpacFat’s technology and growth potential. These partnerships not only provide financial backing but also bring valuable industrial expertise and commercialization networks, which will aid in scaling production and advancing research efforts.
The company holds an international patent for its core technology and processes, which are protected in key markets such as Japan and Singapore. ImpacFat has also garnered recognition in the agri-foodtech sector, having won several international awards, including the “Fantastic Startup Award” at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024.
Tackling food security with technology
Takuji Nakamura, President of Toyo Seikan Group, stated, “We believe that ImpacFat’s development of functional ingredients derived from fish fat cells, rich in nutrients such as DHA and EPA, can meet the rising global awareness of food security and the growing demand for healthy and delicious food. Toyo Seikan Group will leverage its core technologies in sterilization and moisture/gas barrier to build, together with ImpacFat, a value chain that maximizes the potential of cell-cultured fish fat.”
