From Plasmids to Pallets: How Erin Marasco Scales Biology at Cargill
We kick off our CPG series with Dr. Erin Marasco, Senior Director of Global Biology at Cargill, who leads innovation in ingredient discovery, strain development, and biotech applications. Erin takes us on a fascinating journey from the fundamentals of fermentation to the complexities of scaling biotech products from lab bench to global supply chains. We explore Cargill's 30-year history in biomanufacturing, discuss why terms like "precision fermentation" might be doing more harm than good, and learn what it really takes for startups to partner with multinational companies. Erin shares insights on feedstock diversity across continents, the future of nutritional bioactives in everyday foods, and why success in biotech means moving from "novel" to "preferred." This conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in how biology is quietly transforming every aisle of the grocery store.
Chapters:
(00:00:00) - Introduction & New Year Kickoff — Welcome to 2026 and the start of our CPG series!
(00:01:00) - JP Morgan Conference & South Africa Travel
(00:05:00) - New Food Pyramid Controversy
(00:10:00) - Introducing Erin Marasco & Cargill's Role in Biotech
(00:17:00) - Where Biotech Creates Real Leverage at Cargill
(00:21:00) - Demystifying Fermentation: Why Now?
(00:26:00) - How Cargill Partners with Startups
(00:30:00) - Biggest Misconceptions About Working with Big Companies
(00:33:00) - What Product Readiness Means to Cargill
(00:38:00) - Plasmids to Pallets: Successful Partnership Examples
(00:47:00) - Feedstock Diversity Across Continents
(00:53:00) - The Future: Nutrition as Everyday Food
(00:58:00) - Quick Fire Questions & Retiring "Precision Fermentation"
(01:03:00) - Wrap-Up & What's Next in the CPG Series
