Sydney-based biotech company, All G, has secured regulatory approval in China to sell recombinant (made from microbes, not cows) lactoferrin. CEO Jan Pacas says All G is the first company in the world to receive the approval, and recombinant human lactoferrin is “next in line”.
Lactoferrin is an iron-binding anti-microbial protein found in mammalian milk. It has been called “pink gold” for its health properties, difficulty to source consistently and at scale, and its price. It takes around 10,000 litres of milk to make one kilogram of lactoferrin.
While lactoferrin is present in low levels in cow’s milk, it is significantly higher in human breast milk – essentially playing the role of first line of defence for building immunity.
The reason it is so prized are its broad-spectrum of therapeutic benefits on immunity, iron regulation, digestive health, endurance, and muscle strength. Lactoferrin stimulates several types of immune system cells so they can function faster and more effectively. It can fight off bacteria, viruses, and fungal infections and because it binds to iron, lactoferrin weakens many bacteria and viruses because it takes away their food source. It can also stop viruses from entering cells and replicating, so helps stop the infection spreading.
CEO Jan Pacas said this vital role in human health make lactoferrin highly sort after for infant formula, functional foods, dietary supplements and skincare.
“Today, lactoferrin is extracted from cow’s milk using industrial-scale separation processes that are resource-intensive and unsustainable, while still yielding limited quantities. These challenges contribute to its high market price, which is currently around US$800 per kilogram,” Pacas said.
All G is using synthetic biology and precision fermentation to produce bioequivalent, high-purity recombinant bovine lactoferrin that is identical to natural bovine lactoferrin but doing so sustainably and at scale.
Precision fermentation is a process that uses microbes like yeast or bacteria to produce specific proteins or nutrients. The gene for the target protein is inserted into these microbes, transforming them into high-efficiency protein producers.
In a five-day bioreactor process, the microbes are fed sugar-based feedstock and secrete the desired protein. This breakthrough eliminates the need for cows in the production process while ensuring consistent quality, functionality, and scalability.
“This approval is a great moment for All G as we lead the way in precision fermentation technology,” said Pacas
China is the largest consumer of lactoferrin globally, driven by its large infant formula sector and growing demand for functional foods. Statista Market Insights found China was the biggest market in the world and worth US$17 billion. For context, the second biggest market is the US, worth US$6.2 billion. The global market for infant formula is almost US$54 billion.
Last month, Pacas told Agfunder, All G wasn’t starting with the infant formula market just yet, due to the complicated regulatory approval, instead focusing on adult nutrition, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics and personal care applications.
“Lactoferrin is one of the most valuable and functional proteins in the world. Our technology unlocks its potential, and this is just the beginning – our recombinant human lactoferrin is progressing rapidly, with many other products in the pipeline,” Pacas said.
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