Helaina raises US$20M to develop “humanized” precision fermented infant formula

22 Nov 2021 --- Nutrition start-up Helaina has raised US$20 million in series A funding, which it plans to use to deliver the first humanized infant formula.

“For an infant formula to be considered ‘humanized,’ it must include human proteins that functionally perform in the same manner as breast milk,” Laura Katz, founder and CEO of Helaina, tells NutritionInsight.

“We’ve seen a lot of advancement in the alternative meat and dairy space. However, the infant formula category has been stagnant for decades,” she underscores.

US-based Helaina’s latest funding round brings the total capital raised to US$24.6 million. It will be used to begin its manufacturing and commercialization process, further the company’s acquisition efforts, and execute its marketing strategies.Companies are focusing on immunity as they develop formula for infants. 

Tapping into immunity
Helaina uses precision fermentation to recreate immune-equivalent proteins available in breast milk. It sees an opportunity in the market to leverage fermentation by reprogramming microbes to create human milk proteins with health benefits.

“An immune-equivalent protein is one that provides the same immunity benefits (antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal) as human milk while teaching the gut how to fight against infection. This is just the first of many breakthroughs Helaina is working on,” notes Katz. 

The humanized infant formula will be Helain’s first product, according to the company. It will utilize its bioactive proteins for a final product which is targeting immune benefits for newborns.

Research has flagged that breastfeeding provides better immunity than infant formula, with companies trying to recreate its benefits.

Improved efficiency
According to Katz, precision fermentation is used for many of the products currently available to consumers, such as manufacturing proteins that enhance foods’ sensory profiles.

“With pre-existing infrastructure in place, Helaina’s ability to scale is an efficient one allowing our final product to be cost-competitive with transition formulas,” highlights Katz. 

“Because precision fermentation is a biological process, there are many more variables to consider compared to more traditional food development methods,” she adds. 

The round was co-led by Spark Capital and Siam Capital, with additional investment from Primary Venture Partners, Plum Alley Investments, Tom Williams, Hannah Bronfman, Gabrielle Union, Matt Rutler and Barrel Ventures, among other partners.

“We’ve seen increased market adoption of alternative proteins over the last few years. While we are moving away from animal products in other areas of consumption, a move toward human proteins is even more relevant for babies,” says Andrea Turner Moffitt, co-founder and general partner of Plum Alley Investments.

The infant formula market is projected to reach $109.1 billion by 2027.Recreating breastmilk?
While the global infant formula market size was valued at US$50.5 billion in 2019, it is projected to reach $109.1 billion by 2027, according to Katz.

A key aspect of future innovation will be continuing to narrow the gap between infant formula and breast milk. In this space, Abbott recently launched its Similac 360 Total product, described as the “closest formula to breastmilk.” It contains five human milk oligosaccharides identical to those found in human breast milk.

Other companies are also embracing precision fermentation to create its ingredients. For example, Biomilq recently secured US$3.5 million in funding for the development of cell-cultured breast milk.

In August, Solar Biotech, teamed up with TurtleTree Labs, to scale the production of cell-based milk, beginning with functional milk ingredients, such as lactoferrin, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and caseins.

By Andria Kades