Pluri has successfully navigated obstacles by leveraging two decades of experience in cell expansion, integrating nature’s wisdom into biotechnology to drive innovation beyond limits. Yanay, an expert in the field, emphasizes Pluri’s unique strategy: observing and replicating nature’s wisdom rather than reinventing the wheel. Pluri’s cell scaffolding approach, mimicking the tissue environment, sets it apart from conventional technologies, leading to over 140 granted patents for cell expansion.

The cultivation of meat holds profound implications for sustaining a rapidly growing population and protecting the environment. With global meat consumption reaching 360 million tonnes annually, traditional animal farming’s environmental impact is alarming, consuming a third of habitable land and freshwater. The looming challenge of a forecasted 9.3 billion population by 2050, coupled with climate change exacerbating food insecurity, paints a dire picture. To meet the escalating demand, a 60% increase in food production by 2050 is required, as per the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX, has secured a crucial role in national defense by being tasked with designing, building, and testing advanced high-power microwave antenna directed-energy systems for the Pentagon. The announcement, made by RTX, emphasizes the critical capabilities of these antennae, which are set to track and engage various airborne threats at the speed of light. Notably, these systems are engineered to be rugged and transportable, facilitating swift front-line deployment wherever needed.

Directed Energy Front-line Electromagnetic Neutralization and Defeat (DEFEND)

Under a $31.3 million contract awarded by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, Raytheon is committed to delivering prototype equipment to both the U.S. Navy and Air Force. This initiative falls under the umbrella of the Directed Energy Front-line Electromagnetic Neutralization and Defeat (DEFEND) program, spanning a three-year agreement.