SAN DIEGO — BlueNalu, Inc., a developer of cell-based seafood products, has hired a chief financial officer and is expanding its research and development infrastructure. The company secured $20 million in Series A funding this past February.

Amir Feder has been hired as CFO. He was most recently with Hughes Marino, a commercial real estate company based in Southern California. Previously, he was global CFO for Droga5, an advertising agency.

New hires also have been made in project management, technology, product development and engineering. Management said it expects to double its staff to approximately 50 during the next 9 to 12 months.

The company also has signed a lease on a new facility in San Diego. The facility is larger than the company’s current operations and includes a pilot-scale food production plant that will be designed for the commercial production of BlueNalu’s products. The space also will feature a kitchen and demonstration space.

“The announcement of this new facility is an exciting milestone for BlueNalu, as it is our intent to launch our products in the marketplace during the second-half of 2021,” said Lou Cooperhouse, chief executive officer.