Will those hogs at a swine farm near you become a future source for human skin and drugs to make lives of humans better?
Smithfield Foods aims to find out.
The world’s largest pork producer is entering the business of trying to grow skin and organs for humans as well as aiming to develop therapeutic drugs for humans and regenerative medicine.
The Virginia-based company is launching a new division called Smithfield Bioscience.
“Our commitment to innovation and sustainability stretches across all aspects of our company,” said Kenneth Sullivan, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods. “Smithfield Bioscience reflects these same values by finding new uses for byproducts that benefit the health and well-being of others.”
The company already sells its byproducts to firms that produce medicine and supplements. For instance, some of the drugs treat indigestion, thyroid conditions and blood clots.
Smithfield’s new division is also among a group of organizations that’s figuring out ways to replace tissue for injured soldiers. The public-private initiative is partly funded by the Department of Defense.
Called the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), it is a public-private effort that includes 100 organizations such as advanced robotics and pharmaceutical with the aim “to develop next-generation technologies and manufacturing processes for cells, tissue and organ development,” Smithfield noted.
Smithfield Bioscience also works with Harvard and Columbia universities on the research and development of immunology therapies.
Located in Smithfield, Virginia, the company was bought in 2013 by a division of the China-based WH Group.
The company calls the venture “a new strategic platform within the organization that leverages byproducts from the meat production process for the development of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and medical device solutions.”
“Smithfield is a longstanding leader in sustainability and renewables with a broad geographic presence and strong manufacturing expertise,” said Courtney Stanton, vice president of the new Bioscience Group. “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.”
Its focus will be “cutting edge initiatives, which support a range of biotechnology solutions in areas of human therapeutics, tissue fabrication and regenerative medicine. … This dedicated team is solely focused on the responsible and transparent pursuit of these science-based endeavors.”
Read more at:
http://www.smithfieldfoods.com/newsroom/press-releases-and-news/smithfield-foods-introduces-new-innovative-venture-smithfield-bioscience
