WEST SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — Singapore-based biotechnology startup TurtleTree is opening a new R&D facility in West Sacramento, Calif.

The 24,000-square-foot building will house a research hub showcasing the company’s cell-based food technologies. A significant step in its US expansion plans, the facility will spur the development of precision fermentation technology currently used to produce milk ingredients like lactoferrin. The company eventually plans to produce consumer-ready milk and dairy products.

TurtleTree will create approximately 40 technology-related jobs in fields such as food science and engineering to staff the facility.

“Establishing this R&D facility in Greater Sacramento marks the first step toward bringing our unique products from development to market — one that we're very glad will help unlock new opportunities within the local community,” said Fengru Lin, co-founder and chief executive officer at TurtleTree. “We're eagerly looking forward to working with the brilliant talent in the area and building a future generation of nutrition that we can all enjoy for decades to come.”

Along with functioning as a research hub, the R&D facility will serve as a touchpoint for TurtleTree to connect and collaborate with educational institutions, research-focused partners, strategic partners, future customers and investors, she added.

The company has raised more than $9 million in funding since launching in 2019, including $6.2 million in an oversubscribed Pre-A round led by Green Monday Ventures, Eat Beyond Global, KBW Ventures and Verso Capital last year.