The NEOM Investment Fund (NIF), the investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project, has invested in US-based Liberation Labs to support the construction of a precision-fermentation biomanufacturing facility in the Kingdom, according to a statement from the company.
The facility will be developed with Topian, NEOM’s food company. Liberation Labs, which builds and operates precision-fermentation plants, will work with Topian to design and scale the facility as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to localise food production and reduce dependency on imports.
The investment supports NEOM’s efforts to build an industrial base for alternative protein production. Precision fermentation produces high-value food ingredients and proteins without relying on animal agriculture. Liberation Labs has previously launched facilities in the U.S. and Europe to produce dairy proteins, enzymes, and other functional ingredients through microbial fermentation.
Majid Mufti, CEO of NIF, said the deal is part of NEOM’s goal to become a global hub for biomanufacturing and advanced food production. Mark Warner, CEO of Liberation Labs, said the facility will be the company’s first in the Middle East and part of a larger plan to expand its production footprint in emerging markets.
Topian CEO Dr Juan Carlos Motamayor said the project would help meet domestic food demand, improve food security, and support job creation in high-skill sectors. The facility is expected to enable the local production of key ingredients currently imported from global suppliers.
NEOM’s investment is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader initiative to develop self-sufficient food systems and attract technology-driven manufacturing in sectors ranging from energy to agriculture. The deal also reflects a growing regional interest in precision fermentation and cellular agriculture as countries in the Gulf look to address climate and supply chain pressures.
