Merck and mantro GmbH have established EdiMembre, Inc., Massachusetts, U.S.A., a Deep Tech spin-out in the alternative protein industry. 

• EdiMembre to commercialize Merck edible membrane tech for alternative protein, addressing sustainability and food security challenges
• EdiMembre led by former Merck employees; Merck provides IP to foster success
• mantro a facilitating partner for spin-out to drive commercial success

Merck, a leading science and technology company, has successfully collaborated with company builder mantro GmbH, Munich, Germany, to establish EdiMembre, Inc., Massachusetts, U.S.A., a Deep-Tech spin-out poised to revolutionize the alternative protein sector.

“Cultivated meat, a core focus in the alternative protein market, offers a powerful solution for sustainability and global food security. To meet urgent market needs, the development of structured meat products that replicate the texture and complexity of conventional meat is essential. Leveraging its pioneering technology and patent portfolio, Merck enabled the creation of a dedicated spin-out to develop a market-ready product, unlocking access to this breakthrough and empowering clients and investors to shape the future of food together,” said Laura Matz, Group Science & Technology Officer at Merck, explaining the strategic importance of EdiMembre’s mission.

“The formation of EdiMembre represents a significant milestone in the alternative protein industry. By combining Merck’s cutting-edge technology with mantro’s company building expertise and strong investor backing, we have created a powerhouse capable of driving real change in sustainable food production. I am thrilled to be part of this journey and confident in our ability to make a lasting impact,” said Manfred Tropper, CEO of mantro and new non-executive board member at EdiMembre.

EdiMembre builds on the Deep-Tech foundation established by Merck, expanding the applications of the edible membrane technology platform developed over recent years. This innovative platform is central to creating complex tissue structures required for scalable production of structured cultured meat. At the same time, the platform technology has also been used to explore high-protein, plant-based pasta applications. Supported by a robust patent portfolio, a talented team and strategic partnerships, EdiMembre is positioned to accelerate the commercialization of sustainable alternative protein solutions. Beyond contributing intellectual property and expertise, Merck continues to support this emerging market by supplying the necessary cell culture media and co-creating new opportunities in structured meat production.

Headquartered in Massachusetts, EdiMembre will be led by a dedicated team, blending entrepreneurial spirit with their globally recognized expertise in alternative proteins. The founding team includes Chief Executive Officer Timothy Ryan Olsen, and Chief Technology Officer Ryan Sylvia, who previously led the Cultured Meat and Scaffold Technology programs at Merck, respectively.

This leadership transition underscores the strong foundation of knowledge and experience that EdiMembre is built upon, while also demonstrating the commitment of Merck to fostering innovation beyond its corporate boundaries.

About EdiMembre

EdiMembre, Inc. is a food technology company that develops enabling manufacturing capabilities for future food production. Fueled by technology developed at the Life Science business sector of Merck, our core proprietary edible membrane starting material has yielded early product versions of high protein plant-based pasta and devices with edible hollow fibers to produce structured whole cut pieces of cultivated meat. EdiMembre is driven by the success of the partners we enable and creating a world where safe and delicious new food products are rapidly developed and widely available on a global scale.

About mantro

mantro is a leading venture builder based in Munich, Germany, specializing in the ideation, development, and scaling of deep tech ventures. Since its founding in 2005, mantro has successfully built and launched numerous startups that leverage cutting-edge technologies to solve complex challenges in industries such as energy, mobility, logistics, and manufacturing.

With a unique approach that combines entrepreneurial agility and corporate partnerships, mantro transforms disruptive ideas into scalable, technology-driven businesses. Its interdisciplinary team of engineers, product experts, and venture developers brings extensive experience in AI, IoT, robotics, and software platforms, enabling mantro to build future-ready ventures at the intersection of technology and impact.

mantro’s proven venture building framework ensures that each new company is grounded in real-world demand, rapidly tested, and designed to scale—with deep tech at its core.

About Merck

Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. More than 62,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2024, Merck generated sales of € 21.2 billion in 65 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck’s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics.

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