Prefera Petfood acquires UK brand THE PACK, bringing cultivated chicken dog treats to European market

Romanian company Prefera Petfood SRL has acquired UK-based alternative protein pet food brand, THE PACK, strengthening its position in the fast-growing sustainable pet nutrition sector. The deal follows Prefera’s recent partnership with BioCraft to distribute cell-cultured ingredients in Europe and reflects a broader strategy to accelerate the shift toward next-generation, environmentally conscious pet food.

Founded in 2021 by Damien Clarkson and Judy Nadel (pictured in main photo), THE PACK has been at the forefront of pet food innovation. Initially focused on direct-to-consumer sales, the company expanded into both wet and dry products, gaining recognition for its work with alternative proteins. In 2022, THE PACK was selected for the Leap Ventures accelerator, backed by Mars Petcare, further validating its market potential.

One of the brand’s most notable milestones came with the launch of Chick Bites, a cultivated chicken dog treat developed in partnership with UK biotech firm Meatly. Released through Pets at Home at the Brentford, London store, Chick Bites became the first cultivated meat product commercially available for dogs anywhere in the world. The treats feature Meatly’s cultivated chicken, which is grown from animal cells without slaughter, offering a more ethical and sustainable alternative to conventional meat.

“In joining Prefera Petfood, THE PACK is going to be able to create the next generation of highly nutritious products for pets,” said Clarkson. “We are excited to combine our skills with the world-class production talent assembled by Prefera and look forward to seeing the brand grow greatly in the coming years.”

Prefera Managing Partner Nicola Magalini emphasized the significance of the acquisition. “THE PACK has been one of the pioneering companies in the emerging alternative protein pet food market. Prefera is excited to add the brand to our growing portfolio and to work with Damien and Judy in growing the brand across Europe and expanding their range of products vastly.”

As part of the acquisition, Clarkson and Nadel will join Prefera’s leadership team to help scale THE PACK’s innovation pipeline. Their experience with cultivated and plant-based formulations complements Prefera’s focus on sustainable growth and aligns with its recent efforts to integrate cell-cultured ingredients into its broader offering.

THE PACK is currently present at Zoomark 2025 in Bologna, Italy, appearing on the Prefera stand to showcase its existing product line and outline its vision for expanding cultivated and alternative protein pet foods across European markets.