NEW TECH FOODS

Biotech company Checkerspot has partnered with Huvepharma to commercialise a new microalgae-derived oil that replicates key nutritional fats found in human milk, which is said to be a potential game-changer for the infant formula industry.

The collaboration will bring high sn-2 palmitate algal oil to industrial scale, offering a sustainable and consistent alternative to palm-derived oils currently used in infant nutrition.

The ingredient is designed to mimic the triglyceride structures in human milk fat, which play an essential role in nutrient absorption and digestive comfort for infants.

Unlike existing products that rely on palm oil and enzymatic modification, Checkerspot’s oil is produced directly through fermentation of microalgae using simple sugars.

This process eliminates dependence on palm-based feedstocks, reduces environmental impact and ensures a highly controlled and contamination-free ingredient.

Kiril Domuschiev, president and CEO of Huvepharma, said: “Checkerspot’s breakthrough high sn-2 palmitate algal oil is a leap forward for infant nutrition, both in terms of nutritional quality and environmental impact. Huvepharma’s deep expertise in fermentation at scale and global market presence, ideally positions the partnership to deliver this innovation reliably and competitively to the infant nutrition industry."

The partnership combines Checkerspot’s proprietary molecular and strain engineering technology with Huvepharma’s established manufacturing and distribution capabilities. Together, the companies aim to meet growing demand for more sustainable and high-performance fats and oils in infant formula and advanced nutrition.

John Krzywicki, CEO of Checkerspot, added: “Partnering with Huvepharma allows us to bring high sn-2 palmitate algal oil to industrial scale and make it accessible to infant formula brands worldwide. This is a key milestone in redefining how high-performance fats and oils for nutrition are sourced and produced."

The companies plan to position algal oil as a scalable, palm-free solution to the infant formula industry’s sustainability and supply challenges, supporting manufacturers looking to more closely replicate the nutritional profile of human milk fat.