Smithfield Foods Launches Meat Byproducts Bioscience Venture

Global food company Smithfield Foods Inc. launched a new venture called Smithfield Bioscience to leverage byproducts from the production of meat for uses in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and medical devices.

“Our commitment to innovation and sustainability stretches across all aspects of our company,” Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer of Smithfield Foods, said in a statement. “Smithfield Bioscience reflects those same values by finding new uses for byproducts that benefit the health and well-being of others.”

Smithfield currently sells byproducts to some pharmaceutical and nutraceutical firms, who use the materials to develop treatments for a range of issues including deep vein thrombosis, hypothyroidism, and indigestion, according to a company press release. The new venture intends to extend Smithfield’s research into new applications for the byproducts in areas like tissue regeneration and human organs for transplantation.

“Smithfield is a longstanding leader in sustainability and renewables with a broad geographic presence and strong manufacturing expertise,” said Courtney Stanton, vice president of Smithfield’s Bioscience group, in the release. “With these capabilities, our vertical integration and a reputation for transparency and quality, Smithfield Bioscience is well-positioned to help the U.S. medical and pharmaceutical industry achieve significant, scalable developments in biologics.”

The company said one of the venture’s first projects will be participation in the public-private manufacturing initiative Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) to help develop technologies and manufacturing methods for cells, tissue, and organ redevelopment. The group’s efforts are initially centered on researching the replacement of human issue in soldiers injured during combat operations, with the U.S. Department of Defense contributing funding.

The company also said Smithfield Bioscience will work with Harvard Medical School and Columbia University in researching immunology therapies.

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