TurtleTree and Strive partner to bring lactoferrin-infused immunity-boosting beverages to market by 2025

26 Jun 2024 --- Singapore-based biotechnology company TurtleTree and sustainable nutrition company Strive have struck a multi-year strategic partnership to bring an immunity support beverage for adults and a line of protein-enriched beverages to market by the first quarter of 2025.

Fengru Lin, CEO of TurtleTree, tells Nutrition Insight: “The partnership is well aligned because both organizations are looking to provide the everyday consumer with accessible and sustainable nutrition options that they can add into their daily routines. By providing consumers with quality products and novel, safe ingredients, they are helping to support long, healthy lifestyles.”

Strive currently offers FreeMilk, a milk alternative with fermentation-derived protein, available in 21 US states and Dubai. Through the partnership with TurtleTree, it plans to expand into additional adult nutrition products and a ready-to-mix protein powder, both of which include TurtleTree’s lactoferrin (LF+).

“We can have an animal-free lactoferrin with prebiotics that is made through precision fermentation, vegan-certified and is cruelty-free. We’ve known the team at TurtleTree for several years and have worked closely with them as they developed the LF+. They are the only company with a commercial product that meets FDA Self-GRAS,” Dennis Cohlmia, CEO at Strive, tells Nutrition Insight.

Tending to adult gut health
The bespoke immunity support beverage with TurtleTree’s LF+ allows Strive to provide consumers with the gut health-supporting benefits of lactoferrin, iron regulation and immune support.

TurtleTree was the first precision fermentation dairy company to obtain a vegan certification for its animal-product-free lactoferrin LF+. As the first lactoferrin to receive the Certified Vegan logo, the product underwent comprehensive testing.

The immunity support beverage will be an 8-oz carton containing 12–15 g of fermentation-derived whey protein and 250 mg of fermentation-derived LF+. It will also comprise a mix of 23 critical vitamins and minerals.Strive will leverage the LF+ ingredient for the upcoming product rannge.

“Through the partnership, Strive and TurtleTree plan to launch two initial products including a immunity support beverage aimed at adult nutrition as well as a ready-to-mix protein powder — both to include TurtleTree’s lactoferrin (LF+), the world’s first animal-free lactoferrin,” says Cohlmia.

According to the companies’ research, more than 83% of US consumers drink functional beverages as a part of a self-care routine. This represents a significant increase in the last few years as mental and physical wellness are prioritized and more consumers look for functionality in foods.

Colhmia notes: “Our strategy is to bring an innovative product suite to the mainstream market that will enrich people’s lives and move adult nutrition forwards toward a more sustainable future.”

Strive and TurtleTree aim to leverage the US$200 billion market capacity of functional beverages, prioritizing products that address significant concerns about functional ingredients among adults.

In November 2023, TurtleTree received Self-GRAS for its animal-free lactoferrin and vegan certification in February.

Longevity and wellness focus
The products were created for a first launch into adult nutrition for consumers concerned about longevity and wellness. The company experts note that bovine lactoferrin and colostrum’s health attributes are extensive and becoming more known to the general public.

“TurtleTree has helped us with the development and integration of the LF+ protein into our products and we have worked together on identifying the market and designing a product to meet the needs of consumers,” says Colhmia.

In addition, TurtleTree’s LF+ can be used in plant-based milk and F&B products. Its GRAS status lays the foundation for the brand’s commercialization in the US, addressing gaps in the lactoferrin market.

Meanwhile, Strive and Perfect Day partnered to innovate with animal-free whey.

By Inga de Jong