Helaina is ready to commercialise its animal-free lactoferrin for functional foods

Image courtesy of Helaina

Fermentation

Helaina Raises $45M to Commercialize First Precision-Fermented Human Lactoferrin

US precision fermentation company Helaina has raised $45 million in Series B funding to scale and commercialize its first product, effera Human Lactoferrin. Effera, claimed to be the first and only human lactoferrin available, is a bioactive ingredient that supports women’s health, active nutrition, and healthy aging. According to the startup, clinical and pre-clinical research indicates it is even more effective than bovine lactoferrin. The round, led by Avidity Partners, brought Helaina’s total equity funding to $83 million. Spark Capital, Ingeborg Investments, Tom Williams of Heron Rock, Barrel Ventures, Siam Capital, Relish Works, CF Private Equity, and Primary Venture Partners, among others, also backed the first company to put human proteins into food. Founder and CEO Laura Katz shared, “This infusion of new capital marks …

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Helaina is ready to commercialise its animal-free lactoferrin for functional foods

Image courtesy of Helaina

Fermentation

New York’s Helaina Ready to Commercialize Animal-Free Lactoferrin

After achieving a large-scale manufacturing milestone, bioactive protein company Helaina announces that its first high-value ingredient —animal-free lactoferrin — is ready for commercialization to create consumer products focused on immune health.  Founded in 2019 in New York City, Helaina has raised more than $25 million from leading investors. Helaina is a member of the Precision Fermentation Alliance, a new trade organization formed to promote precision fermentation as a solution for a more resilient and sustainable food system.  A protein found in breast milk, lactoferrin is known for improved nutrient absorption, cognitive support, and antimicrobial defense. Helaina says it improves infant formula and functional foods, such as nutritional bars or supplements. “Helaina is now producing Lactoferrin at scale, but that’s just the beginning,” said Laura Katz, …

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Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

9 Global Food Tech Leaders Join Forces to Launch The Precision Fermentation Alliance

Today, nine leaders in precision fermentation announce they are coming together to establish the Precision Fermentation Alliance, a new trade organization to promote precision fermentation as a solution for a more resilient and sustainable food system.  Intended to serve as an industry voice for the precision fermentation industry, the group’s founding members include Change Foods, The EVERY Co., Helaina, Imagindairy, Motif FoodWorks, New Culture, Onego Bio, Perfect Day, and Remilk. Precision fermentation involves the process of creating nature-identical versions of popular products and ingredients (like dairy and egg proteins) by utilizing the natural ability of microorganisms to turn sugars into proteins and other complex organic molecules. According to the Alliance, its members have aligned on the following goals: Promote understanding of precision fermentation technology. Build …

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