Value of the Data •The data in this work is on the expression and cellular localization of exogenous SCD1 and SREBF1 in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and the impact on the transient yield of model secretory biotherapeutic proteins from such engineered cells •The data reports the impact on the growth of SCD1 and SREBF1 engineered CHO cells during batch culture •Collectively, these data will benefit those interested in (a) expressing biotherapeutic recombinant proteins in high yields and quality from mammalian cells, and (b) understanding the role of manipulating lipid metabolism on the lipid composition of cells and the resulting cellular phenotypes •These data provide the basis for designing further and novel approaches based around modifying lipid metabolism in mammalian cells to improve such cells ability to produce higher yields of difficult to express biotherapeutic proteins