About this event
In partnership with Unibio
As the alternative protein sector continues to evolve, many scale-ups find themselves at a critical crossroads: transitioning from producing feed-grade ingredients to meeting the more complex demands of food-grade applications. While this shift opens doors to higher-value markets, it also presents a host of technical, regulatory, and financial challenges.
In this webinar, sponsored by Unibio, we will bring together industry leaders, technical experts, and entrepreneurs to discuss the realities of scaling up alternative protein production—from optimizing downstream processing for food-grade applications to securing investment for commercial-scale operations.
Key discussion points include:
• Bridging the gap from feed to food: Understanding the fundamental differences in processing, safety standards, and quality control when entering the food market.
• Overcoming funding roadblocks: Strategies for attracting investors, de-risking scale-up operations, and navigating capital-intensive expansion.
• Adapting downstream processes: How to modify existing production methods to meet stringent food-grade specifications while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Regulatory navigation: Insights into the global regulatory landscape for novel food ingredients, including best practices for securing approvals and working with authorities.
• Industry collaboration & prototyping: Why working with established food manufacturers before regulatory approval can accelerate market entry and consumer acceptance.
• Winning over consumers: Addressing taste, texture, and price parity challenges to drive adoption of next-generation protein ingredients.
Join us for this insightful discussion as we unpack real-world case studies, success stories, and expert perspectives on what it takes to make the leap from feed to food—and thrive in a competitive market.
This is a free-to-attend webinar. Attendees can hear from industry experts and interact through a Q&A session.
Hosted by
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Guest speaker
Eleni Ntokou New Product Development, Sustainability, & Regulatory Affairs Director @ UnibioG
Dr Eleni Ntokou is a molecular microbiologist specializing in sustainable protein production. Originally from Greece, she earned a PhD in Microbiology before moving to Denmark for a postdoctoral fellowship. She transitioned to industry at Unibio, where she has held key roles in protein applications and development. Now leading a cross-functional team, she also contributes to the Global Feed Lifecycle Assessment Institute. Committed to professional growth, she has participated in leadership and new product development training programs.
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Guest speaker
Céline Schiff-Deb Chief Scientific Officer @ MISTA/GivaudanG
Dr Céline Schiff-Deb is the Chief Scientific Officer at MISTA, a food innovation platform by Givaudan focused on co-creating sustainable food solutions. She leads initiatives such as the MISTA Growth Hack, with a recent emphasis on biomass fermentation. Previously, she held leadership roles in product innovation at Solazyme/TerraVia/Corbion and Calysta, driving advancements in microbial biomass ingredients (microalgae and bacterial systems) for global food security. Dr Schiff-Deb combines over 20 years of experience in biotechnology with a passion for sustainable food innovation.
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Guest speaker
Olivier Hartz Chief Commercial Officer @ UnibioG
Olivier brings over 30 years of experience in international business development and commercialization within the feed and food sectors. He has held several executive roles at Ajinomoto, most recently as CEO of Ajinomoto France. He also has an Executive MBA from IMD.
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Guest speaker
Thierry Duvanel Director of Innovation @ Bühler GroupG
Thierry Duvanel is a seasoned entrepreneur with 20 years of multidisciplinary management experience in high-tech industries. As a leader at Bühler Group, he specializes in business development, product innovation, and market expansion, leveraging his deep understanding of science, technology, and regulatory affairs. With expertise spanning operations, IP strategy, licensing, and supply chain management, Thierry has successfully driven growth across Europe, Asia, and the US. A hands-on leader, he is known for his strategic approach to commercialization, distributor negotiations, and fundraising, ensuring impactful market introductions and business success.
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Guest speaker
Hannah Lester CEO & Principal Consultant @ Atova Regulatory ConsultingG
Dr Hannah Lester is a regulatory affairs expert specializing in novel foods and alternative proteins. With a background in biomedical engineering, she has extensive experience guiding companies through complex regulatory pathways, including EU novel food approvals. As the founder of Atova Regulatory Consulting, she advises food tech startups on market entry, compliance, and risk assessment. A frequent speaker and contributor in the field, she plays a key role in shaping regulatory strategies for the future of food.
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Team member
Nick Bradley Editorial Director @ Future-Proof Group MediaT
Nick Bradley is the Co-founder and Editorial Director at Future-Proof Group Media and the Editor of Protein Production Technology International. Nick oversees editorial content that highlights advancements in the alternative protein and biotechnology sectors.
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Guest speaker
Bryan Tracy Co-founder & CEO @ Superbrewed FoodG
Dr Bryan P. Tracy is the CEO & Co-founder of Superbrewed Food, specializing in fermentation-based alternative proteins. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering from Northwestern University and has co-founded companies like Elcriton and White Dog Labs. With expertise in microbial engineering and bioprocess development, he holds over 45 patents and has published extensively. Beyond his industry leadership, he serves on the boards of FAME and the Delaware Sustainable Chemistry Alliance.
Protein Production Technology
Dedicated To The Technologies & Strategies To Commercialize Alternative Proteins At ScaleJoin us to discover the latest industry trends, learn from industry experts, and grow your business.
