Bright Ideas

Biomilq: Creating cell-based mothers’ milk in a lab

  • USA
  • 4 min read
  • Apr 22, 2021
  • By Emanuela Ferraro

Source: Shutterstock

With the aim of helping women struggling to breastfeed, Bill Gates-backed Biomilq is disrupting the $45bn baby formula industry developing lab-grown breast milk from mammary epithelial cells

Human breast milk is a complex substance containing carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes and hormones. Unlike formula, which is largely made from bovine milk, human breast milk is considered ideal to ensure the healthy development of babies’ body and brain functions and immune system.
However, undernutrition causes about 2.7m child deaths every year. With optimal lactation, it is possible to save the lives of more than 820,000 children aged under five. However, for women who are unable to breastfeed, infant formula continues to be the only a...

The rest of the content is only available if you are logged in.

Edited by S. Mani

We pride ourselves on the accuracy of our information and reporting. Please help us by letting us know of any incomplete or inaccurate information on our website.