IDM ¦ Interview
How Imagindairy intends
to enter the market
Animal free dairy protein
Israeli startup Imagindairy has developed a process to produce
animal free dairy protein using fermentation and proprietary
computational technology. Recently it was announced that
first products will be introduced to the market in 2023. IDM
asked Dr. Eyal Afergan, Co-Founder and CEO, Imagindairy,
about the plans of the company.
IDM: How did Imagindairy come to the idea to develop a precision
fermentation production of milk proteins?
Afergan: We are aware of the global trend for more ethically
sourced ingredients. Consumers are actively making efforts to
reduce consumption of animal proteins to protect animals and
the environment but at the same time are reluctant give up the
sensory enjoyment that comes from consuming real dairy. Imagindairy
was founded with the drive to fill this gap in consumer
demand and provide them with a compelling animal friendly solution
but that behaves like real dairy in terms of sensory enjoyment
and nutritional value. We were also determined to bring a
scalable and commercially viable solution.
IDM: How long did the groundbreaking work take?
Afergan: It took us one year to develop the dairy proteins with
a team of experts. We kicked off our operations at the height of
the pandemic. The proprietary technology was developed over
the last 15 years by a global leading group of multi-disciplinary
scientists led by Tamir Tuller, PhD, Imagindairy Co-Founder and
CSO.
IDM: Imagindairy is now shortly before market introduction,
when exactly will that be?
Afergan: We are targeting dairy and non-dairy companies. Our
aim is to introduce our animal free products through strategic
collaboration with branded dairy companies.
Eyal Afergan CEO
6 · September/October 2021 ¦ international-dairy.com
/international-dairy.com
