Checkerspot Partners with Huvepharma to Revolutionize Infant Nutrition
Checkerspot, an innovative startup focused on producing high-value lipids through microalgae fermentation, has announced a strategic partnership with Bulgarian biopharma company Huvepharma. Together, they aim to produce OPO (Oleic-Palmitic-Oleic or sn-2 palmitate) at an industrial scale—a critical component in infant nutrition.
Importance of OPO in Nutritional Absorption
The high-quality lipid plays a significant role in helping infants absorb essential nutrients such as calcium and fat-soluble vitamins. Additionally, it confers immunological and anti-inflammatory benefits. John Krzywicki, CEO of Checkerspot, stated that the company has garnered significant interest from leading players in the infant formula market.
A Robust Partnership for Production and Regulation
This collaboration effectively marries Checkerspot’s expertise in molecular and strain engineering with Huvepharma’s extensive capabilities in fermentation, manufacturing, and distribution. Krzywicki elaborated to AgFunderNews: “Huvepharma’s role extends beyond production; they will also assist in the preparation of regulatory dossiers, clinical validation of the ingredient, and its global distribution.”
A Step-Change Improvement Over Current Formulations
The algal oil developed by Checkerspot is designed to mimic the triglyceride structures found in human milk fat. It aims to replace the palm oil-based products currently utilized in infant formulas, which are enzymatically modified to approximate breast milk fats but often fall short, as noted by Krzywicki.
“While existing substitutes have improved nutritional properties, they contain variable amounts of sn-2 palmitate, typically ranging from 39-65% of total palmitic acid content,” he explained. In contrast, human milk has around 65% +/- 5% of palmitic acid in the sn-2 position. Checkerspot’s innovative approach boasts a human milk fat analog with palmitic acid positioned in the sn-2 location at rates between 70-75% of total palmitic acid.
Redefining Infant Formula Ingredients
Krzywicki pointed out that current infant formula manufacturers depend on various fat blends. Some utilize palm oil-derived components, which can be enzymatically altered to mimic breast milk triglycerides, while others rely on conventional vegetable oils like high-oleic sunflower or soybean oil. Although these alternatives are safe, they fail to replicate the specific concentration and structure of palmitic acid found in breast milk.
“Our innovation introduces a groundbreaking alternative: a fermentation-derived oil that closely mirrors natural human milk fat without resorting to palm oil. This oil is free from environmental contaminants and guarantees a high level of safety, quality, and consistency,” Krzywicki asserted.
Global Ambitions and Regulatory Compliance
Checkerspot and Huvepharma are committed to establishing algal oil as not only a superior nutritional option for infants who cannot be breastfed but also as a scalable, sustainable substitute for palm-derived sn-2 palmitate oils. They are currently in the process of filing regulatory applications for the use of this novel oil in infant nutrition products across the US, EU, and China.
“Labeling requirements will vary by country,” Krzywicki mentioned. “However, we plan to align our approach with the precedent set for algae-derived DHA in infant formula to ensure clarity and compliance in each market.”
Watch Our Exclusive Interview
For more insights, check out our interview with John Krzywicki at the Future Food-Tech Summit in London:
