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

While investor sentiment may have soured on alternative proteins, the recent Future Food-Tech summit in San Francisco attracted a record number of foodtech startups showcasing everything from a chatbot steeped in the latest food trends to lactoferrin from precision fermentation. AFN caught up with a selection of exhibitors at the event, which brought together 1,700 entrepreneurs, investors, and food industry professionals from 52 countries. TasteGPT… ‘like having a personalized, concierge market research assistant that’s always available’

The US startup's infant formula alternative, made using precision fermentation, offers the same proteins found in human breastmilk. The post Meet the Female Founder: Helainas Laura Katz on scaling its infant formula alternative appeared first on AFN.