Nestlé is teaming up with a US firm to see how “bioactive proteins” can be used in infant formula.

The Swiss giant, one of the world’s largest infant-formula companies, has announced a “multi-year partnership” with US business Helaina.

New York-based Helaina develops proteins through precision fermentation.

The company’s first product is Effera, a lactoferrin “bioidentical to the human form”. Lactoferrin is a protein found in breast milk and colostrum.

Isabelle Bureau‑Franz, the head of R&D for Nestlé’s nutrition business, said the Nan infant-formula brand owner “has always been at the forefront of advancing scientific knowledge on key nutrients and bioactives that are important during early life, including their interactions with the gut microbiome and the immune system”.

She added: “Collaborations with external partners such as Helaina form an integral part of our broader open innovation strategy to deepen scientific understanding in this field, while gaining access to emerging technologies.”

Nestlé said the tie-up will focus on “understanding new bioactive proteins and their role in early‑life development”.

No further details were disclosed on the length of the contract.

Laura Katz, the founder and CEO of Helaina, added: “We believe new bioactive proteins present a significant innovation in nutrition right now. At Helaina, we're focused on manufacturing these bioactives at scale with clinical credibility and together with Nestlé we can uncover new developments that advance early-life nutrition.”