Helaina Series B nets $45 million for human lactoferrin bioactive

In New York, biotech company Helaina has raised $45 million to develop and scale human equivalent-bioactive proteins produced via precision fermentation.

The Series B funding brings the company’s total equity funding to $83 million and was led by Avidity Partners. Spark Capital, Ingeborg Investments, Tom Williams of Heron Rock, Barrel Ventures, Siam Capital, Relish Works, CF Private Equity and Primary Venture Partners also participated in the funding round.

The company will use the funds to scale availability of effera™ Human Lactoferrin, a novel ingredient to support women’s health, active nutrition and healthy aging. effera supports iron homeostasis and metabolism, a balanced immune response, and promotes a beneficial microbiome.  Helaina markets effera to consumer brands and through strategic distribution partners in functional foods, beverages and supplements.

“This infusion of new capital marks the next phase of growth for Helaina in which we are accelerating the availability of our first ingredient through new partnerships – the result of years of work to drive innovation and scientific rigor within nutrition,” Laura Katz, Helaina CEO and Founder said in a press statement. “At this pivotal moment in our company’s journey, we’re proud to partner with Avidity Partners, an investment firm with an outstanding reputation for supporting best-in-class biotechnology companies rooted in clinically-backed science.”