I ordered a salmon dish at a restaurant yesterday, and didn’t think twice about it being identified on the menu as “wildtype” as opposed to “wild caught” until after the meal, when the waitress handed me a card notifying me that I was among the first to try Wildtype cell cultivated salmon. That certainly piqued my interest, so I did some research on the process explained on the Wildtype website. In short, living cells are extracted from Pacific salmon, and cultivated under specific conditions (temperature, pH, nutrients, etc.). Once proliferated, the cells are harvested and combined with plant based ingredients in order to mimic the properties of natural salmon fish fillets.
The synthesized salmon does not taste exactly like natural salmon, however, benefits such as a lack of toxins found in wild caught and farm-raised salmon may outweigh the slightly different experience. Further, reducing prevalence of fishing and farming could have a positive impact on the environment. Although the nutritional profile does not quite match natural salmon fillets yet, the potential is promising as a possibly normalized salmon alternative. At the least, the future of food synthesis industries will be interesting to watch unfold as these potentially environmentally friendly alternatives seem to rapidly become more popular.
As companies like Wildtype push the boundaries of food innovation, the role of intellectual property becomes central. Protecting breakthrough processes, unique branding, and proprietary technologies is not just about safeguarding inventions—it’s about building long-term value and competitive advantage.
McCoy Russell recognizes that for businesses, clients, and brands entering emerging industries, developing a strong IP portfolio with the guidance of professionals ensures that investments in research, development, and market positioning are fully protected. A well-structured IP strategy can open doors to partnerships, attract investors, and secure a company’s place in a rapidly evolving marketplace. Contact us if we can be of assistance.
