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The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has noted that a staggering 95% of all drugs shown to be safe and effective in animal tests FAIL in human trials because they don't work or are dangerous. This is just one sobering data point from a growing body of evidence that animal-based research doesn't translate to human health. Dr. Aysha Akhtar is the CEO and President of the Center for Contemporary Sciences (CCS). She and her team at CCS are working to accelerate the industry's shift towards more innovative, reliable, and promising scientific testing methods that draw from human biology vs. animals. In this episode, she explains why we can end unreliable and cruel animal testing within our lifetimes... and replace it with something far better for the future of human health. It's an eye-opening and hopeful interview, filled with facts, data, and anecdotes on an important topic. Center For Contemporary Sciences' website: https://www.contemporarysciences.org/Support the show (https://www.afteranimals.com/support-us)

TurtleTree Labs—a Singapore-based startup—has set its sights on disrupting the baby formula industry, which is projected to grow to US$103 Billion by 2026. Co-founders Fengru Lin and Max Rye explain how they are using donated human stem cells to create mammary cells in the lab that lactate real human breast milk! Their first-of-its-kind biotech approach is getting a lot of support—from investors and from the Singaporean government—and the company believes it could be in the market within the next year. Once they perfect human breast milk, they plan to expand their sustainable, contaminant-free milk production methods to encompass other mammalian species including cows.TurtleTree Labs' website: https://turtletreelabs.com/ Support the show (https://www.afteranimals.com/support-us)

From making leather out of mushrooms to growing silk in a lab, innovative textile startups around the world are reinventing how we make and consume materials. Nicole Rawling is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Material Innovation Initiative. Her organization is working to bring together scientists, entrepreneurs, retailers, and consumers—to accelerate the global trend towards a new era of animal-free fashion, automotive, and home goods industries. In this episode, she shares: - The story behind Material Innovation Initiative and this growing movement.  - The reasons why we need to stop relying on animal materials such as leather, wool, silk, down, fur, and exotic skins.  - The unique and cutting-edge types of innovation and technologies next-gen material startups are using.  - How the next-gen materials trend might go mainstream even faster than the fast-growing plant-based food and meat alternatives industry. AND how to learn more—or get involved in this space. Material Innovation Initiative's website: https://www.materialinnovation.org/ Support the show (https://www.afteranimals.com/support-us)

Prime Roots' co-founder & CEO Kimberlie Le and her team are working to bring a new more affordable, ethical, nutritious, and sustainable protein to the world. How? The Berkeley, California-based startup is creating high protein meats and seafood—including their landmark bacon product—from a revolutionary whole food superprotein: Koji. And, they are growing, packing, and distributing it from their facilities, which drives down costs and resources while ramping up production.Prime Roots website: https://www.primeroots.com/Support the show (https://www.afteranimals.com/support-us)

Yuki Hanyu is the CEO of Integriculture, a rising Japanese biotech startup that recently raised $7.4 million to take cell-based protein production to the next level, globally. He’s also the founder of the Shojinmeat Project, a community of home-made cultured meat growers and enthusiasts. In this interview, Yuki shares with us what space travel, Japanese manga (and anime) and lab-grown meat have in common for him.Integriculture’s website: https://integriculture.jp/?locale=enShojinmeat Project’s website: https://shojinmeat.com/wordpress/en/My Food Job Rocks website: https://myfoodjobrocks.com/Cultured Meat Symposium website: https://2020.cmsymp.com/Music interlude created by Lee Rosevere.Support the show (https://www.afteranimals.com/support-us)

We hope this episode will bring optimism in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food startup New Culture is creating mozzarella (and other dairy products) without the “moo.” Their secret strategy? Drawing from the same science that makes animal-based cheese taste so good to humans. Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Inja Radman gives us an inside look.New Culture’s website: https://www.newculturefood.com/Support the show (https://www.afteranimals.com/support-us)

Pembient is a company making big chunks of realistic fake rhino horn in the lab. Its goal is to flood the market with high-quality, "can't-tell-the-difference" replica products, driving down demand for the real stuff—thereby ultimately helping combat poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. In this episode, Pembient's CEO and Co-Founder Matthew Markus talks about the potential he sees in the niche biofabricated wildlife product industry. He also shares some of the biggest challenges to actually getting it to market, and addresses some of the controversy surrounding Pembient’s unique approach.Music interlude created by Lee Rosevere.Support the show (https://www.afteranimals.com/support-us)

NovaMeat’s Founder and CEO Dr. Giuseppe Scionti quit his job as a Biomedicine and Bioengineering professor to create a plant-based 3D printed steak that has the appearance and texture of animal-based meat. Dr. Scionti was listed as one of “Nine Innovators to Watch in 2019” by Smithsonian Magazine. In this episode, he talks about the technology and opportunities in 3D printed food—and how we can all row towards a brighter future for animals and our planet.NovaMeat website: https://www.novameat.com/Support the show (https://www.afteranimals.com/support-us)

Phaedra Randolph is the founder and CEO of Spero Foods. She gave up a lucrative career in tech engineering to start her own mission-driven food startup. In this inspiring and informative episode, Phaedra tells us how she took an unexpected ingredient and turned it into a delicious, super healthy plant-based cheese that’s better for you, animals and the planet.  (She also shares some of the secrets behind her successful career change.) Spero Foods website: https://www.sperofoods.co/Music interlude created by Lee Rosevere.Support the show (https://www.afteranimals.com/support-us)

Mice may have been the ancestral food for cats but Because Animals CEO and Co-founder, Dr. Shannon Falconer, explains why it is the perfect food for the modern-day cat. Her cultured pet food company is replacing slaughter with science and creating human-grade, nutrient-packed foods for our four-legged family members.Because Animals website: https://becauseanimals.com/Support the show (https://www.afteranimals.com/support-us)

Fast-rising cultivated seafood startup Shiok Meats raised $4.6 million in funding AND created an MVP (minimum viable product)… in under a year. Shiok Meats CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Sandhya Sriram talks lab-grown shrimp, crab and lobster, and shares some valuable tips and insights for rising entrepreneurs in the space.Shiok Meats website: https://shiokmeats.com/Music interlude created by Lee Rosevere.Support the show (https://www.afteranimals.com/support-us)