Wilk produces key breast milk protein in lab

Wilk , a developer of cell-based human and animal milk and milk components, has announced it was able to successfully produce the breast milk protein, lactoferrin, in internal testing in its laboratories.

Lactoferrin is the major protein responsible for providing iron and other key nutrients to nursing infants and is essential to supporting the growth and development of newborns. Incorporating human lactoferrin proteins into infant formula can result in a product that is considerably closer to real breast milk than the cow and plant-based substitutes currently available on the market.

“This breakthrough brings us one step closer to our goal of providing all infants with the full range of nutritional benefits that can only be found in breast milk,” said Tomer Aizen CEO of Wilk. “This is significant news for both the infant formula industry and parents who may soon have access to the optimal product for ensuring their infants’ growth and development.”

Wilk estimates that further development will enable the production of human lactoferrin in unlimited amounts, thus facilitating the long-term sustainable production of such proteins independent of animal or human sources.