Biomilq

Based in North Carolina, Biomilq is a mammalian food tech startup that produced the world's first cell-cultured human milk.

The startup proliferate mammary epithelial cells (milk making cells) that are able to lactate milk. Although Biomilq’s product is produced outside the body in a sterile controlled environment, the cell cultured breast milk is said to be free from environmental toxins, food allergens, and prescription medications that are often detected in breast milk.

The startup was founded by two women, Dr. Leila Strickland, a cell biologist and Michelle Egger. Dr. Leila Strickland also co-founded 108Labs, a Cellular agriculture biotech, whose personalised nutraceutical science technology is used by Biomilq.

Funding and Financials:

In its latest funding round in October 2021, the startup raised USD 21 million in a Series A round co-led by Danish investors Novo Holdings and Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The new funds will be used to bring Biomilq’s production processes to scale and accelerate its plan to launch cell-cultured human breast milk.