21st.BIO has launched a development program to produce bovine alpha-lactalbumin (α-lac) using precision fermentation technology. The company has exclusively licensed a high-yield microbial strain from Novonesis, a leader in biosolutions. α-lac is a functional milk protein with benefits for immune and cognitive development, but traditional extraction from bovine milk is costly and inefficient. 21st.BIO aims to make precision-fermented α-lac competitively priced and widely available. The traditional process requires around 1,000 liters of milk to produce one kilogram of α-lac, whereas precision fermentation offers a scalable, animal-free, and cost-effective solution.
The company is working to optimize the Novonesis strain for industrial fermentation and commercialization. The initiative aims to democratize access to advanced biomanufacturing and offer a sustainable solution to the dairy industry, which is facing a projected protein supply gap by 2030. 21st.BIO’s program includes access to production-ready microbial strains, fermentation and downstream process development, and regulatory advisory services. The company believes precision fermentation can reduce pressure on natural resources, lower environmental impact, and create a more distributed and resilient supply chain.