MeaTech — Moving forward

Steakholder Foods (US: MITC)

Last close As at 28/03/2024

3.25

−0.10 (−2.99%)

Market capitalisation

41m

More on this equity

Research: Consumer

MeaTech — Moving forward

MeaTech’s FY21 results provide a useful summary of the key milestones achieved during the year as the company continues its quest to position itself as the leader in the cultivated meat space. During 2021, MeaTech made significant progress with its technology, 3D-printing the largest-ever (104g) cultured steak and manufacturing 700g of cultured chicken fat biomass in a single production run. The company is successfully moving from proof-of-concept towards scaling up and commercialisation: we expect more tasting events and collaboration announcements in FY22 and beyond. MeaTech’s offering is broad based, having established MeaTech Europe and with the recent announcement that it will be opening a US office. As a reminder, MeaTech has avian, bovine and porcine cell lines, thus the broad base is both geographical and spans multiple species.

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Consumer

MeaTech

Moving forward

Consumer

Spotlight - Update

29 March 2022

Price

$5.09

Market cap

$64m

Share price graph

Share details

Code

MITC

Listing

Nasdaq

ADRs in issue (ord/ADR 10/1)

12.6m

Last reported net cash (US$m) at 31 December 2021

19.2

Business description

MeaTech 3D is a cellular agriculture animal protein technology company. It is developing a proprietary cultured meat production process, which is complemented by a proprietary 3D printing technology process to manufacture proteins without the need for animal slaughter.

Bull

Cultured meat does not involve animal slaughter.

MeaTech’s process is much less energy-, water- and CO2-intensive than traditional farming and slaughter.

MeaTech’s 3D printing process requires minimal scaffold material and non-cell-based contents.

Bear

Cellular meat is subject to regulatory approval, which can be complex and varies by jurisdiction.

MeaTech is still in the start-up phase and hence has no revenues or profits.

Work still needs to be done to scale up the process to pilot and then commercial scale, and to reduce costs to make the end products affordable to consumers.

Analyst

Sara Welford

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Russell Pointon

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

MeaTech is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited.

MeaTech’s FY21 results provide a useful summary of the key milestones achieved during the year as the company continues its quest to position itself as the leader in the cultivated meat space. During 2021, MeaTech made significant progress with its technology, 3D-printing the largest-ever (104g) cultured steak and manufacturing 700g of cultured chicken fat biomass in a single production run. The company is successfully moving from proof-of-concept towards scaling up and commercialisation: we expect more tasting events and collaboration announcements in FY22 and beyond. MeaTech’s offering is broad based, having established MeaTech Europe and with the recent announcement that it will be opening a US office. As a reminder, MeaTech has avian, bovine and porcine cell lines, thus the broad base is both geographical and spans multiple species.

Cash burn increased

As we had detailed in our initiation note, cash burn was likely to accelerate during FY21 and beyond as there was an expansion of investment in MeaTech’s R&D capabilities (including Belgian acquisition Peace of Meat being consolidated from 1 March 2021) and the intent to start to design and set up a pilot-scale cultured chicken fat facility in Belgium during FY22. R&D expenses were $7.6m during FY21, with $5.5m of this falling in H2, and management indicated that the run rate is likely to annualise the two quarters, ie c $11m pa. Investment in the Belgian pilot plant will add to the cash burn. The reported net cash at end FY21 was $19.2m, thus suggesting the company has enough cash for just over 12 months.

A broad offering

MeaTech recently announced that it will be opening a US office to accelerate its go-to-market strategy. It will therefore have a presence in Israel, Europe and the US. It expects regulatory approval of cultivated meat to take circa two years in the US, and possibly slightly longer in the EU. As a reminder, cultured meat is currently only approved for sale in Singapore. In terms of product offering, MeaTech has multiple cell lines and believes its cultured chicken fat can be used in hybrid products to provide a meatier taste, texture and mouthfeel. As a reminder, hybrid products contain plant-based protein mixed with cultured fat. Management believes hybrid products may come to the market sooner than pure cultivated meat products, given the latter present a significantly greater technical challenge to achieve. Hybrid products contain cultured fat and hence would still require regulatory approval, meaning commercialisation is likely to be at least two years away.

Valuation: No listed peers at present

Due to MeaTech’s start-up nature, financial forecasts cannot be made with any certainty and management does not expect to report positive revenues or profits in the short to medium term. Uncertainty is compounded by regulatory risk, as cultured meat is not yet approved in most jurisdictions. As MeaTech is the first listed cultured meat company, it has no direct peers.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by MeaTech and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by MeaTech. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

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The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

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Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by MeaTech and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by MeaTech. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £60,000 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2022 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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