Sydney-based biotech company All G has become the first in the world to receive regulatory approval to sell recombinant bovine lactoferrin in China.
“This approval is a great moment for All G as we lead the way in precision fermentation technology,” said Jan Pacas, CEO of All G.
“Lactoferrin is one of the most valuable and functional proteins in the world. Our technology unlocks its potential, and this is just the beginning – our recombinant human lactoferrin is progressing rapidly, with many other products in the pipeline.”
A key protein found naturally in milk, lactoferrin aids immune health, enhances gut function and iron absorption and provides antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits. However, it is significantly more abundant in human breast milk than in cow’s milk.
Lactoferrin is traditionally extracted from cow’s milk using industrial-scale separation processes that are resource-intensive and yield only small quantities, which leads to it carrying a high price tag, currently around US$800 a kilogram.
All G has found a way to produce bioequivalent, high-purity recombinant bovine lactoferrin that is identical to natural bovine lactoferrin – sustainably and at scale. The company, established in 2020 with a focus on animal-free proteins for use in functional foods, medicinal nutrition, and newborn nutrition, has raised $45 million and plans to launch its first lactoferrin product next year.
The launch marks the company’s milestone as China is one of the world’s major lactoferrin consumers, owing to its large infant formula sector, rising demand for functional foods, and health-conscious customers.
The precision fermentation process that All G developed uses microbes like yeast or bacteria to produce specific proteins or nutrients. The gene for the target protein is inserted into these microbes, transforming them into high-efficiency protein producers. During 10 days in a bioreactor, the microbes are fed sugar-based feedstock to secrete the desired protein.
“This breakthrough eliminates the need for cows in the production process while ensuring consistent quality, functionality, and scalability,” the company says.
Last year, Chinese-owned New Zealand dairy company Westland Milk announced it would invest A$65 million to construct a new plant to help it become one of the world’s leading producers of lactoferrin.
