Helaina, a New York-based startup, has scaled up production of its precision fermented human lactoferrin (effera) to metric tons, enabling 10 million servings per production run. The company has partnered with several commercial brands, including Kroma Wellness and Levelle, to launch products containing effera. Human lactoferrin is a complex protein found in breast milk and colostrum, essential for iron balance, immune function, and gut health. Helaina’s effera is seen as a premium option, with a clinical study showing that it doesn’t produce antibodies like bovine lactoferrin. The company is targeting women’s health, active nutrition, and digestive wellness markets, with potential claims around optimizing iron utilization, healthy gut function, and immune system maintenance. Helaina has raised $83 million in equity funding and is working on new molecules and ingredients, with a focus on partnerships to drive growth and innovation. The company sees a huge opportunity in creating a new category and opportunity, rather than just replacing bovine lactoferrin.
Helaina increases the production of human lactoferrin.
