China Grants Approval for All G’s Precision-Fermented Lactoferrin
Source: DairyNews.today
Australian biotech firm All G has become the first company globally to secure regulatory approval in China for the sale of recombinant lactoferrin, a protein produced through precision fermentation rather than traditional dairy farming. The milestone marks a significant step for All G in tapping into the world’s largest lactoferrin market, driven by China's demand for infant formula and functional foods.
Lactoferrin, an iron-binding antimicrobial protein naturally found in mammalian milk, is highly sought after for its health benefits, including immune system support, iron regulation, and infection-fighting properties. Often referred to as "pink gold," the protein's scarcity and production challenges make it a high-value commodity, currently priced at approximately $800 per kilogram.
Jan Pacas, CEO of All G, highlighted the inefficiencies of conventional extraction methods, which require 10,000 liters of cow’s milk to produce a single kilogram of lactoferrin. “Traditional production is resource-intensive and unsustainable, which limits scalability and drives up costs. Our technology changes that equation,” Pacas said.
Using synthetic biology, All G’s precision fermentation process employs genetically modified microbes to produce bioequivalent bovine lactoferrin sustainably and at scale. In a five-day process within bioreactors, microbes are fed sugar-based feedstock, secreting the high-purity protein without relying on animal agriculture.
“This approval is a pivotal moment for All G as we pioneer precision fermentation technology,” Pacas said, emphasizing the company's role in revolutionizing lactoferrin production.
Market Potential
China dominates the global lactoferrin market, driven by its $17 billion infant formula industry and rising demand for functional foods, according to Statista Market Insights. The United States, the second-largest market, trails significantly at $6.2 billion. The global infant formula market, where lactoferrin is a critical ingredient, is valued at nearly $54 billion.
While China’s infant formula sector is a key driver of lactoferrin consumption, All G is initially targeting adult nutrition, nutraceuticals, and personal care applications, citing the regulatory complexities of the infant formula market.
“Lactoferrin is one of the most functional and valuable proteins globally,” Pacas said. “Our recombinant technology unlocks its potential, and this is just the beginning. Our human lactoferrin product is advancing rapidly, with more innovations in the pipeline.”
With its breakthrough approval, All G is poised to leverage precision fermentation to meet growing global demand for sustainable, high-quality proteins, starting with China’s lucrative market.
Jan Pacas, CEO of All G, highlighted the inefficiencies of conventional extraction methods, which require 10,000 liters of cow’s milk to produce a single kilogram of lactoferrin. “Traditional production is resource-intensive and unsustainable, which limits scalability and drives up costs. Our technology changes that equation,” Pacas said.
Using synthetic biology, All G’s precision fermentation process employs genetically modified microbes to produce bioequivalent bovine lactoferrin sustainably and at scale. In a five-day process within bioreactors, microbes are fed sugar-based feedstock, secreting the high-purity protein without relying on animal agriculture.
“This approval is a pivotal moment for All G as we pioneer precision fermentation technology,” Pacas said, emphasizing the company's role in revolutionizing lactoferrin production.
Market Potential
China dominates the global lactoferrin market, driven by its $17 billion infant formula industry and rising demand for functional foods, according to Statista Market Insights. The United States, the second-largest market, trails significantly at $6.2 billion. The global infant formula market, where lactoferrin is a critical ingredient, is valued at nearly $54 billion.
While China’s infant formula sector is a key driver of lactoferrin consumption, All G is initially targeting adult nutrition, nutraceuticals, and personal care applications, citing the regulatory complexities of the infant formula market.
“Lactoferrin is one of the most functional and valuable proteins globally,” Pacas said. “Our recombinant technology unlocks its potential, and this is just the beginning. Our human lactoferrin product is advancing rapidly, with more innovations in the pipeline.”
With its breakthrough approval, All G is poised to leverage precision fermentation to meet growing global demand for sustainable, high-quality proteins, starting with China’s lucrative market.
