Yali Bio, a US biotech startup specializing in fermentation, has announced the development of a yeast-derived recombinant breast milk fat for use in infant formula. Oleic-palmitic-oleic (OPO) is a fat in human breast milk that allows higher nutrient absorption and promotes healthier growth in infants.

Synthesized using a recombinant yeast platform that produces high-quality, structured fats, the Yali Bio OPO alternative claims to be structurally similar to breast milk fats. According to the company, this product will help manufacturers bridge the nutritional gap between breast milk and infant formula by providing a substitute for vegetable oils currently used in infant formula production.

Analyst QuickTake: Infant formulas lack certain nutritional aspects compared to breast milk. However, innovations like Yali Bio’s OPO alternative can help bridge this gap. Other companies like Wilk and Nūmi have contributed to this space by developing breast milk constituents and proteins such as lactoferrin.