Pluripotent Stem Cells for Scalable Cultivated Meat Production

Abstract Cultivated meat offers the potential to deliver affordable and sustainable protein at agricultural scale. This will only be achieved by the development of robust cell sources and bioprocesses. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) represent a promising starting material for large-scale CM production due to their long-term stability, resilience, and capacity to differentiate into muscle and fat. In this review, we evaluate the potential of PSCs, defining key criteria for scale-up and assessing their suitability for industrial application. We highlight strategies for directing PSCs toward mature myofibres and adipocytes, linking developmental pathways to in vitro differentiation methods. Finally, we examine bioprocess design, including bioreactors and suspension culture formats, that connect cell performance with cost efficiency, product quality, and regulatory considerations. Together, this analysis outlines a roadmap for translating stem cell biology into scalable CM manufacturing.