Lab-Grown T-Rex Leather Handbag Created Using Protein Found in Fossils

On May 5th, 2025, in an effort to create a sustainable and ethical future for luxury materials, three companies have collaborated to develop the world’s inaugural T-Rex leather handbag.

Though dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years, advancements in technology and genetic research have enabled the use of T-Rex DNA to produce synthetic, lab-grown dinosaur leather. The partnership between Creative agency VML, genomic engineering startup The Organoid Company, and biotechnology innovators Lab-Grown Leather Ltd. has led to the creation of a high-quality alternative to traditional leather that is cruelty-free and eco-friendly. Inspired by a protein discovered in a Tyrannosaurus fossil dating back around 80 million years, The Organoid Company and Lab-Grown Leather have successfully engineered a new material boasting the durability and repairability of T-Rex skin.

By utilizing the collagen protein structure as a blueprint, scientists designed a synthetic gene to be inserted into cells, resulting in the growth of a “skin-like structure” for the leather’s middle layer. Rather than replicating T-Rex skin based on its DNA, the project collaborators focused on developing a novel biotechnology material inspired by dinosaur-protein structures.

Prof. Che Connon of Lab-Grown Leather Ltd. emphasized the versatility of their advanced tissue engineering platform in unlocking the potential to produce leather from prehistoric species, starting with the formidable T-Rex. Through their “scaffolding-free” technique, Lab-Grown Leather can create artificial leather resembling natural leather in appearance and texture without the use of chemicals or artificial additives. The production of lab-grown T-Rex leather occurs in a controlled environment without the need for livestock or chemicals, enhancing its sustainability.

Although the release date and pricing details for the world’s first T-Rex leather handbag have not been disclosed, it is anticipated to be a luxury product with a high price tag due to its innovative nature.