It's A Match.
We don't just make ingredients. We've carefully designed a molecule that is bio-identical to the key bioactive in human milk.
Bio-identical by Design.
Historically, the nutrition industry has relied on the closest available substitute for the ‘real thing’. That's because the technology did not exist to produce biologically identical molecules.
Until now.
Helaina uses advanced precision fermentation to produce lactoferrin that is bio-identical to the lactoferrin found in human milk.
Precision fermentation uses microorganisms, like yeast, as microscopic production systems. We begin by identifying the genetic instructions that encode for a specific human milk protein, such as lactoferrin. Those instructions are then introduced into yeast, effectively programming the organism to manufacture the exact molecule we’re targeting.
As the yeast metabolizes its feedstock, it generates and excretes the protein it has been designed to produce. The process takes place in large fermentation tanks under carefully controlled conditions, after which the protein is purified and separated from the microorganism. The result is a molecule that is structurally and functionally identical to native human lactoferrin.
A Fusion of Minds and Machines.
We develop life-changing human equivalent proteins through our proprietary four-step R&D operating system. We've reduced discovery timelines from months to weeks, and scale-up from years to months.
Our revolutionary platform is the work of a world-class, multidisciplinary team. With over 35 scientists (including 15 PhDs) housed in our state-of-the-art New York City facility, our lab comprises biologists, chemists, data scientists, engineers, nutritionists and clinicians.
01. Design
It starts on a computer. We map the code that creates our target protein, leveraging over 170 million data points (and counting) from our machine learning models.
02. Build
We program yeast with a new set of instructions, turning it into a microscopic factory for a specific human protein. Our bioreactor suite is capable of tightly controlling temperature, pH, oxygen, and feed.
03. Assess
Using advanced robotics, protein characterization tools like our mass spectrometer, and data analytics, we test thousands of strains in parallel to identify the most robust and efficient producers with incredible speed.
04. Scale
We perfect the fermentation conditions in our bioreactors before scaling to 75,000-liter tanks, ensuring over 99% purity in the final product.
Marrying the ancient art of fermentation and the most advanced technology
Our First Breakthrough: effera™, Human Lactoferrin.
Our platform's first creation is effera™, the world's first bio-identical human lactoferrin.
Lactoferrin is your body's master regulator - the "air traffic controller" for iron, a key modulator for your immune system, and a balancer for your microbiome. Because effera™ is bio-identical, it speaks your body's native language, unlocking a new level of efficacy that was never possible before.
Ready to build the future?
effera™ is more than an ingredient; it's a platform for innovation. If you're ready to move beyond legacy ingredients and create a product that's truly aligned with human biology, we're ready to talk.