Novonesis and TurtleTree Partner to Scale Precision-Fermented Lactoferrin for Global Nutrition Markets
核心洞察
Novonesis (搜索) and TurtleTree (搜索) have entered an agreement to scale, manufacture, and commercialize TurtleTree's precision-fermented lactoferrin LF+®, the first such product to receive a US GRAS "No Objection Letter."
The partnership aims to make lactoferrin more accessible and cost-competitive by replacing traditional milk-derived production with precision fermentation, addressing supply constraints and high costs.
Novonesis (搜索) will hold exclusive commercialization rights for LF+® in the early life nutrition market and selected rights for dietary supplements, complementing its existing portfolio of HMOs, probiotics, and synbiotics.
Global biosolutions leader Novonesis (搜索) has entered into a strategic agreement with TurtleTree (搜索), a pioneer in precision-fermented ingredients, to scale, manufacture, and commercialize TurtleTree's flagship lactoferrin product, LF+®. The collaboration, announced alongside a minor investment by Novonesis into TurtleTree—with participation from 321Catalyst Ventures (搜索), the corporate venture capital arm of Mitsui Chemicals (搜索)—marks a significant milestone in bringing biotechnology-derived functional proteins to the global nutrition market.
Under the terms of the agreement, Novonesis (搜索) will exclusively undertake efforts to scale and commercialize LF+® for the early life nutrition market, while also holding selected commercial rights for dietary supplement applications. The partnership complements Novonesis' existing Human Health Biosolutions portfolio, which includes Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), probiotics, and synbiotics.
Addressing a Longstanding Supply Challenge
Lactoferrin is a protein naturally found in milk and is recognized for its benefits across immunity, iron regulation, and gut health, with particular relevance for women and infants. However, traditional production methods require large volumes of milk, resulting in high costs, supply constraints, and environmental inefficiencies that have historically prevented broad access to the protein's health benefits.
TurtleTree (搜索) was the first company to receive a U.S. GRAS "No Objection Letter" for its precision-fermented lactoferrin, a regulatory milestone that underscores the safety and viability of the biotechnology platform. Through the collaboration, the two companies aim to secure ample, high-purity, and cost-effective production of LF+® for global customers.
"Our aim is to make lactoferrin more accessible and cost-competitive and showcase what is achievable with precision fermentation in early life nutrition and dietary supplements," said Thomas Batchelor, Senior Vice President for Early Life and Specialized Nutrition at Novonesis (搜索). "If successfully scaled, this will enable customers to deliver proven health benefits to consumers more efficiently. LF+® fits well in our broader portfolio of both precision fermentation projects and our specialized nutrition ingredients."
A Platform for the Future of Specialized Nutrition
Fengru Lin, Founder and CEO of TurtleTree (搜索), framed the partnership as a critical step toward commercial viability. "This partnership is about doing the hard work required to make the unique benefits of lactoferrin truly usable at scale. Not just technically, but economically available for all," Lin said. "By pairing TurtleTree's precision fermentation platform with Novonesis (搜索)' manufacturing and commercialization capabilities, we're unlocking the consistency, cost structure, and supply reliability that modern health brands need. Ultimately, this enables our customers to formulate with confidence and deliver meaningful benefits to the people who rely on these products every day."
The agreement signals growing momentum behind precision fermentation as a manufacturing platform capable of producing proteins, enzymes, and bioactive compounds for food, health, and wellness applications. By combining TurtleTree (搜索)'s technological innovation with Novonesis (搜索)' established infrastructure and market reach, the partnership positions LF+® to become a cornerstone ingredient in the next generation of early life nutrition and dietary supplement products.