Eclipse Ingredients spins out of CSIRO to unlock human lactoferrin through precision fermentation

A new Australian biotech startup, Eclipse Ingredients, has emerged from the country’s national science agency with plans to harness precision fermentation for producing hard-to-source health-promoting compounds. The company, spun out of CSIRO, aims to tap into what it describes as a multi-billion-dollar global market by making ingredients that have until now been difficult or impossible to obtain through traditional production methods.

Eclipse Ingredients will focus first on human lactoferrin, a protein found naturally in human milk and other secretions, known for its diverse health benefits including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supporting properties. The company believes its approach could open new possibilities for industries such as cosmetics, food, and dietary supplements.

Siobhan Coster, CEO & Co-founder of Eclipse Ingredients, said precision fermentation provides a way to unlock access to valuable compounds while enabling sustainable and scalable manufacturing.

“We’re harnessing advances in the age-old fermentation process to create ingredients that simply weren't previously accessible,” Coster said. “Precision fermentation works by engineering microorganisms, such as yeast, to produce proteins and other compounds that mirror those found in humans or animals with similar nutritional and functional profile.”

Human lactoferrin, while naturally present in very small quantities in milk, is expensive and logistically challenging to extract at meaningful scale. The protein’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties have drawn significant attention for potential benefits in skin care, gut health, and immune system support. Coster said that while Eclipse Ingredients will initially focus on the cosmetics sector, the applications for human lactoferrin extend far beyond.

“While our initial focus is cosmetics, there are health benefits that human lactoferrin can deliver across other areas, including food and supplements, opening up a range of opportunities to support health and wellbeing,” she said.

CSIRO Research Lead Dr Crispin Howitt described Eclipse Ingredients as an example of how Australian research can help address emerging global demands while creating new technology-led industries.

“We’re delivering trusted science, as well as helping to demonstrate new potential technology-led industries for Australia,” Howitt said. “Australia is a leading producer in trusted, sustainable and high-quality ingredients, and can build on this reputation to open new high-value market opportunities using advances in precision fermentation.”

Precision fermentation, while rooted in traditional processes used for centuries in brewing and food production, has become a fast-growing area of biotechnology. By inserting specific genetic instructions into microbes like yeast, companies can coax them into producing proteins, enzymes, or other compounds identical to those derived from animals or plants. This method offers a way to produce scarce or costly molecules at commercial scale, while also reducing the environmental footprint associated with animal-based production systems.

Eclipse Ingredients is moving forward in collaboration with CSIRO, investment group AgFunder, and the Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA), which is backed by the Australian government to support the growth of innovative companies in the sector. The next stage of development will see Eclipse scale up production, a critical step toward commercializing its human lactoferrin product.

Although financial details about Eclipse’s funding or projected production costs have not been publicly disclosed, the company’s focus aligns with a broader wave of interest in biotech-derived ingredients. Market analysts estimate the global market for lactoferrin, sourced primarily from bovine milk, was valued at around US$264 million US (approximately AU$400 million Australian) in 2023, with projections for significant growth driven by demand in infant formula, supplements, and personal care products. Human lactoferrin, as a bioidentical alternative, could command even higher premiums due to its closer match to human biology and potentially greater efficacy in health-related applications.

The challenge ahead for Eclipse will be to prove it can produce human lactoferrin at purity levels and volumes required by major manufacturers while keeping costs competitive. However, the company’s scientific foundation and backing from CSIRO and partners place it among a growing cohort of startups looking to transform ingredient supply chains.

Eclipse Ingredients was incubated within CSIRO in collaboration with entrepreneur Coster, who brings experience in commercializing scientific breakthroughs. As the company enters the next phase of its journey, it hopes to help expand access to specialty ingredients while positioning Australia as a key player in the precision fermentation sector.

“The science has come a long way, and now it’s about translating that into real-world impact,” Coster said.