Portuguese startup PFx Biotech redefines lactoferrin production with precision fermentation
PFx Biotech, a Portuguese biotech startup, is transforming the production of human lactoferrin (hLF) using precision fermentation. Founded in 2022 and incubated at UPTEC, University of Porto, the company aims to improve health outcomes for various populations, including infants and the elderly, through its human-identical lactoferrin.
PFx Biotech's innovative manufacturing process involves encoding human lactoferrin genes into microbial strains, cultivating them, and purifying the protein. This method offers advantages such as being animal-free, vegan-friendly, and having a reduced carbon footprint and resource use. The company is now entering the scale-up phase, with fermenters ranging from 1,500L to 75,000L, to produce kilogramme-scale quantities of hLF.
PFx Biotech has signed Material Transfer Agreements for their hLF samples with selected commercial partners, although the specific partners remain unnamed. The company's patented platform enables the scalable manufacture of bioactive proteins, contributing to the growing fermented protein market, projected to reach $2.49bn by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 7.3%. The health insurance market alone is expected to expand from $724.6m in 2025 to $985.7m by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.4%.
PFx Biotech has established a Nutrition and Applications Lab in Tagus Park, Lisbon, to support regulatory submissions and product development. The company's ultimate goal is to improve health outcomes for targeted populations by providing a sustainable and ethical source of human lactoferrin.
PFx Biotech is revolutionising the production of human lactoferrin through precision fermentation, with a focus on sustainability and ethical practices. As the company enters the scale-up phase and the markets for lactoferrin and fermented proteins continue to grow, PFx Biotech is well-positioned to make a significant impact on health outcomes and the biotech industry.
