Harmony Baby Nutrition is creating a new class of infant and toddler formulas designed to closely mimic the composition and functionality of human breast milk. Founded by Wendel Afonso after witnessing his daughter’s formula allergies, the U.S.–headquartered company uses precision fermentation to eventually replace cow-milk proteins with recombinant human lactoferrin, alpha-lactalbumin, caseins, and albumin, aiming to cut added sugars, eliminate dairy, and improve taste. Its first commercial product, Melodi, is a lactose-based toddler formula that has shown a 61% higher sensory preference than standard hypoallergenic products. A new 250 m² R&D hub will be built in Belo Horizonte by 2026, employing 25 specialists to advance product development and quality control. Harmony partners with contract manufacturers that meet FDA and Codex standards and with large-scale recombinant protein suppliers to ensure capacity and segregation from cow-milk proteins. The firm is initially targeting regulatory approval and market entry in the U.S., followed by Brazil, and later Australia/New Zealand and Singapore. Its strategy involves evolving from a science-focused organisation to a commercially oriented company by expanding manufacturing, quality, marketing, and customer support capabilities.

Total raised

$6M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Dec 2025