Singapore Food-Tech Pioneer ImpacFat Secures Strategic Investment from Japanese Giants to Launch Omega-3 Fish Fat R&D Hub in Tokyo
- Angela Lwin
- 57 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Tokyo, Japan – 1 October 2025
ImpacFat, the world’s first company that pioneered stem-cell based omega-3 fish fat technology, today announced its expansion into Japan. Backed by new strategic investments from industry giants, ImpacFat aims to further accelerate its innovation of producing more sustainable and healthy ingredients for food, supplements, and cosmetic products. These two significant milestones were announced at a press event in Takanawa Gateway City in Tokyo.
ImpacFat officially announced its first overseas expansion beyond Singapore with the signing of a service contract with JR East. Through this agreement, ImpacFat will establish a shared office and laboratory at Link Scholar’s Hub (LiSH), Takanawa Gateway City, one of Japan’s most forward-looking innovation hubs.
This milestone represents not only the company’s physical presence in Japan, but also a deeper commitment to strengthening cross-border collaboration in the cultivated food and nutrition sector that ImpacFat pioneers. By setting up research and operational infrastructure within Tokyo, ImpacFat will work closely with local partners, researchers, and ecosystem players to accelerate the development and adoption of cell-cultured biotechnology in Japan. The expansion into Japan taps into one of the world's most sophisticated markets for seafood and health supplements. The global omega-3 ingredients market is projected to reach over $8 billion by 2030, and Japanese consumers are highly attuned to the benefits of marine-based nutrition.
As the world’s first company developing cultivated omega-3 fish fat, ImpacFat’s expansion is expected to contribute significantly to Japan’s food security goals, sustainable development initiatives, and marine biodiversity protection efforts. The establishment of the Takanawa Gateway office further symbolizes the bridging of Singapore’s pioneering cultivated food expertise with Japan’s advanced research and industrial ecosystem, positioning both nations at the forefront of future food innovation.
“Expanding into Japan is a defining moment for ImpacFat. Japan has long been a global leader in food innovation, and we are honoured to work alongside Toyo Seikan Group, Leave a Nest and our other Japanese partners to build a sustainable cultivated food ecosystem. By establishing our presence in Takanawa Gateway City, we hope to connect science, innovation, and sustainability to create meaningful impact for both Singapore and Japan.”
Mandy Hon, CEO & Co-Founder, ImpacFat
“Today marks not only a milestone for ImpacFat, but also reflects the growing partnership between Singapore and Japan in many areas of innovation, including alternative food technologies. We look forward to continuing our support for ImpacFat and to fostering closer ties between both our innovation ecosystems, especially as we approach 2026, which marks the 60th year of bilateral relations between Singapore and Japan.”
Amanda Dizon, Regional Director, Enterprise Singapore (Japan)
ImpacFat is also announcing the successful close of a major round of strategic investments from key Japanese and regional partners:
● Toyo Seikan Group, one of Japan’s leading packaging and materials innovation companies, recognized for its strong sustainability commitments.
● 144 Ventures (Leave a Nest Group), an innovation-driven venture capital arm actively fostering deep-tech and life science collaborations across Asia.
● Mr. Lin Xiangliang, CEO of Esco Aster, a global leader in contract development and manufacturing for biopharma and food-tech sectors.
The participation of these highly regarded investors underscores strong confidence in ImpacFat’s technology platform and commercial roadmap. Beyond financial support, these partnerships bring strategic industrial expertise, commercialization networks, and ecosystem synergies that will accelerate ImpacFat’s journey toward market launch.
This investment also highlights ImpacFat’s close integration into Japan’s innovation ecosystem, reinforcing collaboration opportunities not only in cultivated food and nutrition, but also in cosmeceuticals, sustainable packaging, and cross-border R&D initiatives. With these investors onboard, ImpacFat is well-positioned to scale production, expand applications, and contribute meaningfully to Japan’s vision for sustainable food systems of the future.
“We believe that ImpacFat’s development of functional ingredients derived from fish fat cells, rich in nutrients such as DHA and EPA, can meet the rising global awareness of food security and the growing demand for healthy and delicious food. Toyo Seikan Group will leverage its core technologies in sterilization and moisture/gas barrier to build, together with ImpacFat, a value chain that maximizes the potential of cell-cultured fish fat. With our cross-border ecosystem partners, we aim to accelerate this movement under the concept of “refine in Japan, test in Singapore, and launch into the Asian market.”
Takuji Nakamura, President of Toyo Seikan Group
Since our first encounter with Mr. Sugii in 2014, Leave a Nest has consistently supported ImpacFat’s challenges. With ImpacFat’s entry into Japan, we have invested as 144 Ventures together with Mr XL Lin of Esco Aster, and Toyo Seikan Group to further drive its growth, with LiSH as its base. Looking ahead, we will deepen collaboration between Japan and Singapore and accelerate the commercialization of biotech ventures through the launch of the “BioGarage Initiative,” fostering research, development, and business creation in the biotech field.
Dr. Yukihiro Maru | CEO of Leave A Nest Group, Parent Company of 144 Ventures
About ImpacFat
ImpacFat is a pioneering biotechnology company from Singapore and an A*STAR spin-off, developing the world’s first cultivated omega-3 rich fish fat using patented stem-cell technology. Founded with the mission to create ethical, sustainable, and premium alternatives to conventional fish oil and animal fat, ImpacFat produces high-value functional ingredients without harming any animals.
ImpacFat’s innovations span across multiple industries:
● Food & Nutrition: By adding the rich, savory profile of fish fat, ImpacFat helps alternative protein products deliver the satisfying taste and mouthfeel consumers expect, while boosting them with healthy omega-3.
● Cosmeceuticals & Skin Care: Developing next-generation stem-cell conditioned media (SCCM) and exosome-based active ingredients for skin repair, anti-oxidation, and anti-aging formulations.
● Supplements & Pet Food: Creating sustainable omega-3 solutions that are free from mercury, microplastics, and other pollutants often found in ocean-caught fish to better support human health and animal wellness.
ImpacFat holds an international patent covering its core technology, cell lines, and processes, with protection extended internationally including Japan and Singapore. The company is also a recognized leader in the global agri-foodtech ecosystem. They have won multiple international awards, including the “Fantastic Startup Award” at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2024 and the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit Pitch Competition 2024. ImpacFat has been featured by major media, and has presented at leading conferences worldwide.By combining cutting-edge science with a strong sustainability mission, ImpacFat is committed to supporting Japan’s food security, marine biodiversity protection, and green innovation agenda, while contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2, 3, 12, 14).
Official press release documents:
Straits Times article: Sashimi from a lab? S’pore’s ImpacFat, a global pioneer in cultivated fish fat, launches in Japan.
Nikkei article: 魚脂肪培養のシンガポール新興、日本に拠点 東洋製缶などから資金調達
Contact for Media Inquiries
Hon Mandy
CEO | ImpacFat Singapore