Project description
Precision fermentation for human milk protein production
Traditional cow’s milk formulas often fail to replicate the bioactivity of human milk due to structural differences in proteins. Precision fermentation offers a sustainable way to produce human milk proteins (HMPs), identical to those in breast milk, addressing environmental concerns and improving purity and cost. With this in mind, the EIC-funded HuMiLAF project will scale up the production of human milk lactoferrin (hLF) to a pre-industrial level, while validating its properties and applications. This includes using hLF in both standalone and co-encapsulated forms with human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and probiotics in infant formula and immunity shots. The project aims to advance towards commercialisation, addressing a crucial gap in infant nutrition.
Objective
Precision fermentation presents a transformative solution for today's food system by reducing reliance on animal proteins, offering a sustainable and scalable method for producing specialty proteins. PFx Biotech leverages this innovative technology to produce human milk proteins (HMPs) structurally and functionally identical to those found in human breast milk. This method addresses environmental concerns and ensures higher purity and cost-effectiveness. Proteins like lactoferrin, α-lactalbumin, osteopontin, and immunoglobulins are found in low quantities in cow milk, necessitating the processing of large volumes (e.g. 50 L of milk for 1 g of lactoferrin) and leading to high costs and carbon emissions (50 kg CO2eq). These cow milk-derived proteins also differ by up to 40% in amino acid sequence from their human counterparts, impacting their bioactivity, digestibility, health benefits, and allergenic potential. The infant formula industry is increasingly driven to replicate the composition and bioactivity of human breast milk, but traditional formulas, which use cow milk proteins, fall short due to these structural and functional differences. There is a growing demand for more accurate mimics of human milk to improve infant health outcomes and reduce risks associated with obesity and allergies. The HuMiLAF project aims to scale up the production of human milk lactoferrin (hLF) to a pre-industrial scale, validating its properties and testing its applications. This includes using hLF alone and in micro-and co-encapsulated forms with human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and specific probiotic strains in two key products: infant formula and immunity shots. Business objectives include securing regulatory approvals, signing agreements with major customers, and advancing the project to commercialization. This project not only addresses a critical gap in infant nutrition but also positions PFx at the forefront of sustainable and innovative protein production.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine allergology
- medical and health sciences health sciences nutrition obesity
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology bioprocessing technologies fermentation
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC-ACC - HORIZON EIC Accelerator
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2024-ACCELERATOR-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
4200-135 Porto
Portugal
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.