Helaina develops human-equivalent bioactive proteins via a precision fermentation platform, commercializing effera™ Human Lactoferrin as its first ingredient. Effera™ is sold to consumer brands and through strategic distribution partners and will appear in products from Kroma Wellness, The Feed, Levelle Nutrition, Healthgevity and via Mitsubishi International Food Ingredients, Inc. The company positions effera™ to support iron homeostasis, metabolism, a balanced immune response and a beneficial microbiome, and clinical and pre-clinical research reportedly shows it is more effective than bovine lactoferrin; a study will soon be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Helaina plans to scale availability of effera™ for women’s health, active nutrition and healthy aging, and is working toward a future launch of infant formula in partnership with formula manufacturers. The company was founded in 2019 and is based in New York City. Helaina develops a human milk‑equivalent infant milk using precision fermentation that programs yeast to produce proteins nearly identical to those in human breast milk. Founded in 2019 by food scientist Laura Katz, the company has produced its first protein and plans to recreate breast milk’s components one at a time. Its product is designed to provide calories and to help build immunity against fungal, bacterial and viral diseases. Helaina plans to scale manufacturing with partners and pursue U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval as it prepares for commercialization. The company intends to use its proteins across clinically proven consumer products to create a new “consumer immunology” category and aims to price products to be accessible. Its latest financing supports capability growth, executive hires and finalizing go‑to‑market plans.

Total raised

$65M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Sep 2024