Chr. Hansen achieves “important milestone” with Chinese production technology approval for key HMOs

27 Sep 2023 --- Chr. Hansen revealed it has achieved a significant achievement for its human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) offerings. The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) has granted approval in the first step of its process for three key HMOs – 2′-fucosyllactose (2’-FL), lacto-n-tetraose (LNT) and 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL).

The bioscience player says the approval covers the production technology necessary for manufacturing the HMOs, enables it to continue on to the final nutrition fortifier approval process and paves the way for the introduction of these HMOs into the Chinese market.

“This first Chinese regulatory approval of three of our HMOs is an important milestone in our quest to bring infant formula closer to breastmilk in China and our aim to market our HMOs to the world’s largest infant formula market,” says Jesper Sig Mathiasen, the senior vice president of HMO at Chr. Hansen.

“The approvals put us in a positive position to secure the final regulatory wins.”

Future forward
Chr. Hansen states that, with this first step of approval to produce these HMOs, it is now in a position to apply for Chinese approval for the remaining two HMOs in the clinically documented MyOli 5 HMO mix.2’-FL is the most abundant HMO in breastmilk but is superseded by 3-FL during the process of lactation.

Already approved in the US and EU, the offerings correspond with increasing consumer demand for infant nutrition solutions that offer a wide range of health benefits.

The company recently conducted a webinar on the science behind these ingredients, as well as the nutrients’ expanding markets and applications.

Understanding HMOs
HMOs are naturally occurring compounds found in human breast milk that are associated with various health benefits, including supporting a healthy infant gut microbiome, potentially aiding in brain development, maintaining a balanced immune system and reducing the risk of bacterial imbalances.

Furthermore, HMOs play a vital role in the maturation and integrity maintenance of the infant’s intestine. Additionally, the company notes that each of the three HMOs approved by MARA offers its own distinct advantages.

2’-FL – the highest concentration of HMOs in breast milk – has been linked to immune system development, promotion of a balanced microbiome and shows positive associations with neurodevelopment. LNT could play a pivotal role in limiting the growth of undesirable microorganisms, which contributes to a balanced gut microbiome.

3-FL According to Chr. Hansen, 3-FL is of particular interest to Chinese consumers, 3-FL shows an increase in concentration throughout lactation. During breastfeeding, 3-FL concentrations supersede that of 2’-FL and becomes the most abundant HMO in human breast milk.

Edited by William Bradford Nichols