The NEOM Investment Fund (NIF) has confirmed a strategic investment in Liberation Labs, a leading global firm in precision-fermentation biomanufacturing, reinforcing NEOM’s commitment to advancing innovative food technologies.
This partnership will enable Liberation Labs to collaborate with Topian, NEOM’s food company, on the design and development of a next-generation precision-fermentation facility within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Liberation Labs builds and operates specialised biomanufacturing plants that apply precision fermentation to create fundamental food components without relying on traditional agricultural systems.
NEOM Strengthens Biomanufacturing Efforts
This cutting-edge approach delivers a sustainable and scalable alternative to conventional food production, enabling the manufacture of high-quality proteins without the use of animals.
Majid Mufti, Chief Executive Officer of NIF, noted: “This strategic alliance marks a crucial step in NEOM’s vision to position itself as a global centre for sustainable, industrial-scale food innovation. Liberation Labs’ experience will support the development of advanced food production and establish NEOM as a frontrunner in the biomanufacturing field.”
Mark Warner, Founder and CEO of Liberation Labs, said: “Launching our first facility in the Middle East alongside NIF and Topian is a remarkable opportunity. We are eager to integrate our tailored biomanufacturing capabilities with their ambitious mission to reshape food systems.”
Dr Juan Carlos Motamayor, CEO of Topian, remarked: “Our goal at Topian is to create resilient food systems suited to future population growth and environmental pressures. This facility will help us produce vital ingredients and alternative proteins in a sustainable and efficient manner. Beyond food production, it will bolster national food security, reduce import dependency, and generate skilled employment—giving Saudi Arabia a strategic edge in the evolving novel-food sector.”
This investment highlights NIF’s role in fostering innovation and supporting the Kingdom’s leadership in sustainable food manufacturing.
