Manufacturing Large Quantities: Helaina Increases Production of Human Lactoferrin

Manufacturing Large Quantities: Helaina Increases Production of Human Lactoferrin

Helaina, a leading biotech startup, has developed a groundbreaking product - human lactoferrin, marketed as the first colostrum made for humans. This innovative product is combined with other precision-fermented bioactives, including human milk oligosaccharide 2'-FL, making it a unique offering in the nutritional supplement market.

The benefits of Helaina's human lactoferrin compared to bovine lactoferrin are significant. In terms of safety and allergenicity, human lactoferrin does not trigger antibody production in the body, unlike bovine lactoferrin which often induces an immune response and acts as an allergen. This makes human lactoferrin better tolerated and less likely to cause allergic reactions.

In terms of tolerance, the human lactoferrin is structurally identical to the natural protein found in human breast milk, allowing the body to recognise and retain it longer. On the other hand, bovine lactoferrin is cleared out more quickly due to being seen as foreign.

When it comes to efficacy, Helaina’s human lactoferrin shows superior bioequivalence and better performance in key functions such as iron absorption, immune resilience, and gut balance. This contrasts with bovine lactoferrin, which is structurally different and less efficacious in these roles.

Additional benefits include consistent, scalable production via precision fermentation from yeast, avoiding the expensive, resource-intensive extraction from cow’s milk and reducing scarcity and cost issues typical of bovine lactoferrin.

Helaina’s human lactoferrin is a premium, clinically validated, safer, better tolerated, and more effective alternative to bovine lactoferrin for nutritional and health applications. It is found in various parts of the body, including the brain, gut, saliva, and anywhere there is a microbiome, indicating its broad utility beyond infant nutrition.

Helaina has struck deals with multiple commercial partners who have launched with effera, including Kroma Wellness (SuperCore), Levelle, Healthgevity, Kepos (TryKepos), Young Gut Ultra by Joel Greene, and more. The company is also working with Mitsubishi International Food Ingredients, but details of the partnership are not yet disclosed.

The company is targeting the women's health, active nutrition, and digestive wellness markets with effera. Lactoferrin, produced by Helaina, is of particular interest to companies in the women's health arena due to its ability to bind and transport iron, making it a potential solution for iron-deficient women who experience digestive issues when taking iron supplements.

Helaina has scaled up production capacity for its precision fermented human lactoferrin (brand name: effera) to the scale of metric tons. The company is seeing a trend of companies creating more specialty, high-value, clinically-backed bioactives, and human lactoferrin fits in with this trend.

The market opportunity for human lactoferrin extends beyond replacing bovine lactoferrin, as it represents a chance to grow a completely new category and opportunity in the market. Helaina is focusing on creating ingredients with real clinical differentiation, drawing inspiration from what the body has perfected in human milk, and is seeking partnerships for new molecules and ingredients.

According to the COO of Helaina, Paola Delgado, the products are designed to supplement and lift up the body to act at its optimal self. The company is continuing to focus on establishing safety and equivalency to what the body natively produces, as well as studying the efficacy of effera lactoferrin in several key health areas, including gut health, immunity, and inflammation.

An animal study shows that combining lactoferrin with creatine enhances muscle recovery. As people age, they produce less lactoferrin, making supplementation a potential solution to maintain optimal body function, particularly in the context of women's health.

References:

[1] Helaina. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.helaina.com/

[2] Kroma Wellness. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.kromawellness.com/

[3] Mitsubishi International Food Ingredients. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.m-ifi.com/

1. Helaina's human lactoferrin, a colostrum made for humans, is a game-changer in the nutritional supplement market.
2. This product, combined with human milk oligosaccharide 2'-FL, offers unique benefits over traditional bovine lactoferrin.
3. Human lactoferrin does not induce an immune response or act as an allergen like bovine lactoferrin, making it better tolerated.
4. Structurally identical to the natural protein in human breast milk, human lactoferrin is recognized and retained longer by the body.
5. In terms of efficacy, human lactoferrin shows superior bioequivalence and better performance in key functions like iron absorption and immune resilience.
6. Bovine lactoferrin, being structurally different, is less efficacious in these roles.
7. Precision fermentation from yeast allows for consistent, scalable production of human lactoferrin, avoiding the issues of expensive resource-intensive extraction from cow’s milk.
8. Helaina's human lactoferrin is a premium, clinically validated, safer, better tolerated, and more effective alternative for various nutritional and health applications.
9. It is found in parts of the body beyond infant nutrition, including the brain, gut, saliva, and microbiomes.
10. Helaina has partnered with Kroma Wellness, Levelle, Healthgevity, Kepos, Young Gut Ultra, and Mitsubishi International Food Ingredients, among others.
11. The company targets the womens' health, active nutrition, and digestive wellness markets with its product effera.
12. Lactoferrin, produced by Helaina, is of interest to companies in the women's health arena due to its ability to bind and transport iron.
13. Helaina has scaled up production of its precision fermented human lactoferrin (brand name: effera) to the scale of metric tons.
14. The company sees a trend in creating high-value, clinically-backed bioactives, and human lactoferrin fits into this trend.
15. The market opportunity for human lactoferrin extends beyond replacing bovine lactoferrin, representing a chance to grow a completely new category in the market.
16. Helaina focuses on creating ingredients with real clinical differentiation, drawing inspiration from what the body has perfected in human milk.
17. The COO of Helaina, Paola Delgado, believes the products are designed to supplement and lift up the body to act at its optimal self.
18. An animal study suggests that combining lactoferrin with creatine enhances muscle recovery.
19. As people age, they produce less lactoferrin, making supplementation a potential solution to maintain optimal body function.
20. In the context of women's health, supplementation could address iron deficiency and associated digestive issues when taking iron supplements.
21. The finance sector can invest in the growing potential of companies like Helaina in the health and wellness industry.
22. The entrepreneurship angle in the renewable energy industry offers opportunities for innovation and partnerships.
23. Diversity and inclusion are essential in leadership positions, particularly in the small business, automotive, aviation, and residential real estate sectors.
24. Public transit and transportation infrastructure can be modernized to address energy efficiency and environmental concerns.
25. Neurological disorders require therapies and treatments that offer hope to millions of sufferers worldwide.
26. Skin care products should consider including ingredients like human lactoferrin for their beneficial properties in promoting healthy skin.
27. Chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, cancers, respiratory conditions, and digestive health issues require continued investment and research in the medical-industry to improve diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes.

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