PFx Biotech closes US$2.7 million seed round to scale up production of human milk proteins

PFx Biotech has closed a €2.5 million (approximately US$2.7 million) seed funding round, marking a significant step forward in its effort to bring precision fermentation-derived human milk proteins to the mainstream. The Porto-based startup, which uses engineering biology to produce functional food ingredients at scale, announced the funding on 6 June 2025.

The round was led by Buenavista Equity Partners, with participation from EIT Food and Beta Capital. It coincides with the award of a €2.5 million (US$2.7 million) grant from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, bringing the company’s total new funding to around €5 million (US$5.4 million).

PFx Biotech’s platform focuses on producing ingredients such as lactoferrin, a protein naturally found in human milk and associated with immune system support, iron regulation, and gut health. The company aims to integrate these proteins into a range of consumer products including infant formulas, sports nutrition, and elderly nutrition.

“This is a defining moment for PFx Biotech,” said Ali Osman, Founder & CEO, who was a panelist on Protein Production Technology International's May 2025 webinar, Building Better Nutrition: A Systems View on Innovation, Sustainability & Functionality. “We’re proud to be backed by mission-aligned investors to help us unlock the potential of lactoferrin in a more sustainable nutrition model. As we enter this new growth stage, we are actively exploring strategic collaborations across R&D, scale-up, and go-to-market opportunities.”

The fresh capital will allow the company to scale up lactoferrin production to pre-industrial levels, establish its own dedicated laboratory facilities, and expand its team. These developments are intended to accelerate the company’s path to commercial readiness and support its broader ambitions in reshaping the future of nutrition.

Bibi Sattar Marques, Partner at lead investor Buenavista Equity Partners, emphasized PFx Biotech’s unique position within the sector. “We believe PFx Biotech is one of the few companies with the scientific depth, technical execution, and visionary leadership required to make precision fermentation commercially viable at scale,” she said. “This investment reflects our conviction in biology-driven solutions to reshape the food system and our confidence in the PFx team to lead that change.”

With interest in sustainable protein sources and alternative food technologies on the rise, PFx Biotech is positioning itself as a key player in the precision fermentation space, particularly within the high-value segment of human-identical milk proteins. The company said it is targeting measurable impact in terms of both product performance and environmental sustainability.

PFx Biotech also acknowledged the role of its early backers in reaching this stage. The company expressed appreciation to Biotope Ventures, Big Idea Ventures, and Pascual InnoVentures, along with its broader network of partners and supporters.