With the implementation of China's new national standards for infant formula milk powder, the market's requirements for nutritional ratios have become more stringent, and consumer demand for comprehensive nutritional products has risen significantly. Data indicates that 98.6% of parents prioritize the comprehensiveness and scientificity of nutrition when selecting infant nutrition products. However, many milk powders and supplements on the market fall short in key nutrients, particularly lactoferrin and N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), making it difficult to meet infants' immune and brain development needs.
The LA&N project leverages genetically engineered brewer's yeast fermentation technology to develop efficient, low-cost infant nutritional supplements, with primary components including lactoferrin and N-acetylneuraminic acid. Traditional formula milk powders contain approximately 0.1-0.3g/L of lactoferrin, far less than the 2-4g/L found in breast milk. Meanwhile, the Neu5Ac content in commercially available milk powders is extremely low, often insufficient to support infant neurological development. Our product significantly enhances the content of these two components through technological means, bridging the nutritional gap. Through experimental iterations, it is estimated that each liter of culture medium can produce 1.2g of lactoferrin and approximately 6g of Neu5Ac.
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for infants up to six months after birth, but according to a report published by the China Development Research Foundation, China's exclusive breastfeeding rate is only 29%, lower than the global average of 43%. The main reasons include: China's female employment rate stands at 59.84%, with maternity leave generally shorter than six months, and most provinces and cities have yet to meet this standard. Additionally, there is a lack of awareness about breastfeeding, with only 58.3% of the country recognizing the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, and this awareness is particularly low in small and medium-sized cities.
The content of lactoferrin and N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) in formula milk powder is generally much lower than that of breast milk, failing to provide sufficient nutrition for infants. Breast milk contains 2.5g/L of lactoferrin, while most commercial formula milk powders contain only 0.05g/L, significantly impacting infants' immune system development. Meanwhile, Neu5Ac, a crucial component for brain development, is present in extremely low levels in most formula milk powders, directly affecting infants' cognitive development and neurological health.
Food | Average Lacoferrin Content | Lacoferrin Content Range |
---|---|---|
Colostrum (<28 days) | 4.9g/L | 0.3~17.9g/L |
Mature Breast Milk (>28 days) | 2.1g/L | 0.4~4.4g/L |
Fresh Cow's Milk | 0.1g/L | 0.02~0.2g/L |
Data Source: Expert Consensus on the Health Effects of Lactoferrin in Humans (published by the Maternal and Child Nutrition Branch of the Chinese Nutrition Society)
iiMedia Research data reveals that when selecting infant formula, consumers prioritize the scientific nutritional ratio (75.1%) and comprehensive high-level nutrition (52.9%). Market expectations for infant milk powder have surpassed basic nutritional provision, shifting towards deeper scientific ratios and nutritional balance. Furthermore, our questionnaire survey indicates that 66.74% of consumers believe formula milk powder is inferior to breast milk in nutrition, further driving the demand for cost-effective nutritional supplements.
High-end infant nutritional products are expensive, imposing significant financial pressure on families. 46.3% of consumers consider price a crucial factor. For low- and middle-income households, price becomes a pivotal factor in purchasing decisions. The market urgently needs cost-effective alternatives.
According to Euromonitor data, the infant formula market size reached 157.2 billion yuan in 2023. With the implementation of China's two-child and three-child policies, the demand for infant products has surged significantly, stimulating an increase in the number of newborns and driving the expansion of the infant nutrition product market.
The global infant formula sales are projected to have substantial growth, increasing from USD 50,126 million in 2024 to USD 1,15,326 million by 2034. The market is expected to surge at a CAGR of 8.7% during the forecast period.
According to iMedia Research survey data, 72.6% of infant formula consumers are female, with over 70% of these consumers concentrated in tier-3 cities and below. With economic development and rising incomes in these regions, more than 40% of households have a monthly income ranging from 5001 to 10,000 yuan, leading to a notable increase in the demand for quality and safety in infant formula. This indicates that the tier-3 and below markets hold immense growth potential, particularly in the realm of cost-effective and comprehensive infant nutrition supplements, which will become crucial target markets in the future.
iiMedia Research survey data reveals that 76.1% of consumers expect infant formula to provide not only basic nutrients but also additional premium nutrients to ensure a more comprehensive nutritional supplement. Beyond concerns about nutrition and safety, consumers also prioritize reasonable pricing and convenience of use.
As residents' income levels increase, consumers are paying closer attention to cost-effective infant nutrition products. According to iiMedia Research, 45.3% of consumers consider price to be a crucial factor in their purchase decisions. Especially in the tier-3 and below markets, offering nutritional supplements with high cost-effectiveness and compliance with new national standards is expected to gain widespread market acceptance.
Factor | Analysis |
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Political |
- Government policy support: China has implemented the two-child and three-child policies to
encourage childbirth, which will increase the number of infants and toddlers and promote the
growth of the infant nutrition market. Meanwhile, the government has introduced a series of
policies to encourage the development of the mother and baby industry, further boosting the
demand for related products. - Laws, regulations, and safety standards: The government has strengthened the supervision of safety standards for products such as infant formula milk powder. After the implementation of the new national standard, the nutrition industry has entered a more stringent regulatory era to ensure the safety and quality of infant nutritional supplements. - Industrial support: The national support for the biotechnology industry helps reduce production costs, especially the application of genetic engineering and fermentation technology in infant nutrition products, which has been encouraged by government policies. |
Economic |
- Rising Parenting Costs: Despite the decline in birth rates, the demand for high-quality infant
nutrition products remains robust among Chinese families. Market research indicates that the
market size of infant nutrition products in China is projected to reach USD 1.38 billion by
2030. Parenting costs have become a crucial factor influencing consumer choices, with middle-
and low-income families exhibiting a strong demand for cost-effective products. - Income Growth and Consumption Upgrading: From 1980 to 2023, China's per capita disposable income has continued to grow, reaching 39,218 yuan in 2023. With the increase in income, families are more inclined to choose high-quality and comprehensively nutritious products for infants and toddlers, particularly in the lower-tier markets where consumption potential is significant. - Price Sensitivity: Data suggests that over 60% of middle- and low-income households prioritize price factors when purchasing infant nutrition products, driving market opportunities for cost-effective nutritional supplement products. |
Social |
- Increasing Pressure on Working Women: With the rise in female employment rates (reaching
59.84% in 2020), more and more mothers face the challenge of balancing work and parenting. This
has led to an increased demand for convenient and efficient infant nutrition supplements,
particularly those that cater to immune system and brain development needs. - Enhanced Health Awareness: Parents are paying increasing attention to the health of their infants and toddlers, with a particular focus on nutritional needs for boosting immunity and promoting brain development. Growing awareness among parents about ingredients such as lactoferrin and N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) has fueled the demand for functional nutrition products in the market. |
Technological |
- Biotechnology Breakthroughs: Advances in genetic engineering and fermentation technology have
significantly reduced the production costs of high-value nutrients such as lactoferrin and
Neu5Ac. Compared to traditional extraction processes, fermentation technology enables
large-scale production of these ingredients, greatly enhancing production efficiency and
substantially lowering costs. - Digital Transformation: The development of e-commerce platforms and the prevalence of digital marketing strategies have made it more convenient for consumers to access information and purchase infant nutrition products. In particular, the rise of e-commerce channels in lower-tier markets has further boosted product sales and consumer education. |
Our product is an infant nutrition supplement that primarily utilizes Saccharomyces cerevisiae (brewer's yeast) to produce Lactoferrin and N-acetylneuraminic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid, Neu5Ac). These two components are abundant in breast milk but are often present in insufficient quantities in formula milk to meet the needs of infants and toddlers. Our goal is to leverage low-cost biotechnology to produce these vital nutrients as supplements to existing infant formula, thereby enhancing infant health and development.
Brewer's Yeast Production Platform: We have selected the widely used BY4741 strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, renowned for its high safety profile and ease of genetic manipulation, as our production platform. Through genetic engineering, we have successfully introduced the synthetic genes for human lactoferrin and N-acetylneuraminic acid into yeast cells, enabling the biosynthesis of these target products.
Plasmid Vector Design and Gene Introduction: We employ the pESC-URA vector, a commonly used protein expression plasmid in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which utilizes galactose induction for gene expression, eliminating the need for toxic inducers. This plasmid system ensures the safe and efficient production of human lactoferrin and Neu5Ac by our engineered strains.
Lactoferrin Synthesis and Validation: We have amplified the human lactoferrin gene via PCR and successfully expressed it in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using various techniques, including fluorescent labeling, we have verified the synthesis of lactoferrin. Moving forward, we plan to adopt a fed-batch fermentation approach based on the culture medium, anticipating a yield of 1200 mg·L-1.
N-Acetylneuraminic Acid Synthesis and Validation: By introducing two key synthetic genes (age and neuB), we have successfully achieved the biosynthesis of N-acetylneuraminic acid and quantified its yield through colorimetric assays. Our next step involves optimizing the Neu5Ac production process in Saccharomyces cerevisiae through high-density fermentation and metabolic engineering techniques, aiming to enhance the expression of key enzymes and block competing metabolic pathways. This is expected to increase the Neu5Ac yield to 6 grams per liter, significantly improving production efficiency and reducing costs.
Cost-Effectiveness: Traditional methods require 14 kilograms of milk to extract just 1 gram of lactoferrin, making it highly expensive. In contrast, our Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation method offers significant cost advantages. By employing appropriate density enhancement and fed-batch fermentation techniques within the same batch of culture medium, we can significantly reduce production costs and achieve large-scale production. This makes our product more affordable, particularly for middle- and low-income families.
Better Absorption and Safety: The lactoferrin synthesized using human genes is structurally and functionally identical to that naturally produced by the human body, resulting in higher absorption efficiency and bioavailability. This also minimizes the risk of allergic reactions associated with lactoferrin.
Scientific Basis and Technological Innovation: Our product represents the first successful attempt by an iGEM team to produce human lactoferrin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and there is no precedent in the literature for Neu5Ac production in this yeast strain. This innovation provides a solid foundation for subsequent large-scale production and further technical optimization.
Breast Milk Substitutes and Supplements: Our product is suitable for mothers who cannot breastfeed or families seeking to provide additional nutrition to their infants. The supplementation of lactoferrin and Neu5Ac helps boost infants' immunity and promote brain development, which is crucial during the early stages of life when the immune system is still developing. In the future, we plan to use direct yeast inactivation to create chewable tablets, further reducing costs.
- B2B Model: Collaborate with midstream maternity and infant product companies and milk
powder manufacturers to incorporate our lactoferrin and N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) as fortifying
ingredients, directly supplying to enterprises to promote the market upgrade of existing formula milk
powder in the form of functional nutritional products. Maternity and infant brands can enhance their
product competitiveness by using our ingredients, driving our sales revenue simultaneously.
- B2C Model: Sell our independent nutritional supplement products directly to end
consumers through online e-commerce platforms (such as Tmall, JD.com, Douyin, etc.) and offline
maternity and infant retail stores, catering to families who cannot breastfeed or require nutritional
supplements.
- Brand Partnerships & Licensing: Collaborate with well-known maternity and infant
brands to promote our products under their names, generating brand partnership fees or licensing income.
User Characteristics | Description |
---|---|
Demographics | Primarily females, especially of childbearing age, who dominate household purchasing decisions. |
Geographic Distribution | Consumers from tier-3 cities and below constitute the majority, with significant market growth potential in these regions. |
Income Level | Middle-to-low-income households with monthly incomes ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 yuan, price-sensitive, and focused on product cost-effectiveness. |
Age Range | Primarily young and middle-aged parents aged 25-39, actively parenting and highly demanding of infant products. |
Purchase Channels | Tier-1 cities favor offline channels, while tier-3 and below cities rely heavily on online shopping. |
Needs | Emphasize comprehensive nutrition and safety, preferring cost-effective and reliable branded products. |
Consumption Trends | Favor products with clear brand backgrounds, rich nutritional content, efficient and convenient purchasing channels, and excellent after-sales services. |
- Corporate Partnership Channels: Collaborate with milk powder manufacturers and
maternity companies to integrate lactoferrin and Neu5Ac into their formula milk powders, directly
entering the end market.
- E-commerce Platforms: Utilize platforms like Tmall, JD.com, Douyin, etc., to directly
sell our branded nutritional supplements.
- Offline Maternity Stores: Partner with large chain maternity retail stores (e.g.,
Kidswant) to ensure product visibility and sales opportunities, particularly in tier-3 and below cities.
- R&D Costs: Continuous investment in R&D to optimize brewing yeast fermentation
processes, enhance lactoferrin and Neu5Ac production efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure high-quality
production capabilities.
- Production & Manufacturing Costs: Involving raw material costs, upgrades in
fermentation and purification technologies, and subcontracting fees.
- Marketing & Promotion Expenses: Including online advertising, KOL collaborations,
participation in maternity and infant industry exhibitions, with a focus on e-commerce channel
promotions and sales promotions.
- Distribution Costs: Sales commissions incurred through online platforms and offline
retail store collaborations.
- Raw Material Costs
- Logistics & Warehousing Fees
Factor | Description |
---|---|
Key Partners | Maternity and infant product companies, milk powder manufacturers, offline maternity retailers, and e-commerce platforms (Tmall, JD.com, Douyin, etc.). Collaborate with these partners to promote lactoferrin and Neu5Ac products. |
Core Business | Leverage genetic engineering and fermentation technology to produce lactoferrin and Neu5Ac at low costs, we provide efficient nutritional supplements for infants and young children, thereby fulfilling the market's demand for comprehensive nutrition. |
Value Proposition | Offer cost-effective, lactoferrin and Neu5Ac-rich infant nutritional supplements, enhancing maternity brand competitiveness and meeting the high-quality nutrition demands of middle-to-low-income families. |
Customer Relationships | Establish long-term cooperation with maternity product companies, enhancing brand awareness through partnerships, providing online and offline support, and fostering consumer loyalty. |
Channels | Sales through maternity product companies, milk powder manufacturers, online e-commerce platforms (Tmall, JD.com, etc.), and offline maternity stores. |
Customer Segments | Maternity product companies and milk powder manufacturers (B2B); middle-to-low-income families, non-breastfeeding households, particularly in tier-3 and below cities (B2C). |
Key Activities | Product R&D, production, and supply chain management; collaborate with maternity brands for marketing and branding; continuous process optimization and technological R&D. |
Key Resources | Fermentation technology platform, R&D team, subcontractors, partner networks, and marketing resources. |
Revenue Streams | B2B ingredient sales, B2C direct product sales, and licensing fees from brand partnerships. |
Cost Structure | R&D costs, production costs, marketing expenses, distribution costs, packaging, and transportation/storage costs. |
Taking the first year's production plan as an example, it is projected to produce 100kg of Neu5Ac and 20kg of lactoferrin in the first year, requiring approximately 25,000L of culture medium.
Anticipated mass production process parameters for the future:
- Neu5Ac yield: 6g/L
- Lactoferrin yield: 1.2g/L
- Glucose concentration in culture medium: 25g/L
- Reuse of culture medium: 3 times (initial fermentation once, reuse twice)
- Quantity of each feed: 25% of the culture medium
Culture Medium Usage:
- Initial culture medium volume: 1L
- Volume of culture medium added each time: 25% × 1L = 0.25L
- Total volume of culture medium in 3 cycles: 1 + (0.25×2) = 1.5 L
Antifoam Demand:
- Total glucose required in 1.5 liters of culture medium: 1.5 L × 25 g/L = 37.5 g
- Buffer Demand: 1.5L × 0.5g = 0.75g
- Antifoam Demand: 1.5L × 0.25g = 0.375g
Consumable | Unit Price | Quantity Required | Total Cost |
---|---|---|---|
YPD Culture Medium | 1.6$/L | 25000L | 40000$ |
Glucose | 2$/kg | 625kg | 1250$ |
Buffer | 1.3$/kg | 12.5kg | 16.25$ |
Antifoam | 4.8$/kg | 6.3kg | 30.24$ |
Total Cost | 41296.49$ |
For the first phase, we have outsourced production to a factory in China. Based on the first year's production volume, the quoted price from the contract manufacturer is $5,000.
- Registration Fees: Joining platforms like JD.com and Taobao requires approximately
$708.80 in registration fees, laying the groundwork for future consumer-facing products.
- Content Creation: The primary marketing strategy for the first year involves
self-produced content through in-house teams. The budget for registering domains and setting up accounts
is $1,000.
Given the low production volume in the first year, we plan to primarily sell products directly. However, we have allocated a 15% commission for distributors, anticipating sales of 100,000 worth of products to distributors, resulting in distribution costs of 15,000.
- B2B Shipments: Initially, all shipments will be made to B2B customers using truck
transportation. For the first year's trial production of 120kg, the transportation cost via postal
services is estimated to be less than $200.
- C2C Shipments (Future): For future consumer-facing products, we anticipate using SF
Express for nationwide delivery.
The founding team members will receive a basic salary of 8,500 per person per year, resulting in a total annual cost of 144,500 for the first year. This covers the salaries of the team members dedicated to research and development activities.
Item | Cost |
---|---|
Laboratory Fixed Assets | $42,000 |
Enzymes | $15,000 |
Chemical Consumables | $4,200 |
Disposable Laboratory Equipment | $4,200 |
Other Expenses | $4,200 |
Total Cost | $69,600 |
Project Component | Cost (USD) |
---|---|
Material Costs | $41,296.49 |
Production Costs | $5,000 |
Marketing Costs | $1,708.80 |
Distribution Costs | $15,000 |
Shipping & Packaging Costs | $200 |
Labor Costs | $144,500 |
Research & Development Equipment Costs | $69,600 |
Office Costs | $15,000 |
Total Cost | $292,305.29 |
Strengths | Weaknesses | |
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Opportunities | Threats | |
External Factors |
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SO | WO | |
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Strategies |
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ST | WT | |
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Strategies |
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Through SWOT analysis, we have significant technological advantages, including low-cost production of lactoferrin and Neu5Ac through genetic engineering and fermentation technology, providing strong competitiveness for our products in the rapidly growing infant nutrition market. We can leverage technological innovation to address market demand growth while quickly enhancing market awareness through collaboration with well-known brands and expansion of e-commerce channels.
In terms of addressing weaknesses and threats, we will optimize research and development processes, strengthen brand promotion, and manage supply chains effectively to ensure smooth market entry and stable supply of our products. Our overall strategy will fully leverage our technological and cost advantages, seize market opportunities, and effectively respond to intense market competition and regulatory challenges.
Item | LA&N Infant Nutrition Supplement | Aptamil Profutura (900g) | Mead Johnson Enfamil (1kg) |
---|---|---|---|
Main Ingredients | Lactoferrin, N-Acetylneuraminic Acid (Neu5Ac) | Lactoferrin, DHA, ARA | Lactoferrin, DHA, Prebiotics |
Production Technology | Genetic Engineering Fermentation Technology, Low-Cost Production | Traditional Dairy Extraction, Higher Cost | Traditional Dairy Extraction, Higher Cost |
Product Positioning | Low-to-middle-income families, supplementing nutritional deficiencies in formula milk powder | High-end infant milk powder, targeting high-income families | High-end infant milk powder, targeting high-income families |
Nutritional Value | Strengthens immunity, promotes brain development, approaches breast milk nutritional levels | Enhances immune system and intellectual development | Enhances immune system and digestive function |
Price | Approximately 50% of comparable products' prices | 214.30 RMB | 329.96 RMB |
Product Form | Standalone supplement or formula milk powder additive | High-end formula milk powder | High-end formula milk powder |
Technological Innovation | Genetic Engineering Fermentation, offering cost advantages and potential for large-scale production | No significant technological innovation | No significant technological innovation |
Distribution Channels | B2B partnerships (maternity & baby brands, milk powder manufacturers), e-commerce platforms, offline maternity & baby product stores | E-commerce platforms, maternity & baby product stores | E-commerce platforms, maternity & baby product stores |
Market Competitiveness | Low-cost, high-nutrition, easily scalable to low-to-middle-income markets | High-end brand, high market recognition | High-end brand, high market recognition |
Brand Awareness | Emerging brand, low market awareness | Globally renowned brand, large market share | Globally renowned brand, large market share |
Initial small-scale production: targeting 20kg of lactoferrin and 100kg of N-Acetylneuraminic Acid (Neu5Ac). This phase focuses on small-scale testing and promotion within the Chinese domestic market.
Ingredient | Market Price (USD/kg) | LA&N Unit Price | Production (kg) | Revenue (USD) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lactoferrin | 1500 | 800 | 20 | 16,000 |
Neu5Ac | 6000 | 3500 | 100 | 350,000 |
Total Revenue | - | - | - | 366,000 |
Based on cost estimates, the first-year total expenses are expected to be close to USD 300,000, resulting in a profit of approximately USD 70,000.
- B2B Collaboration: Partner with major milk powder manufacturers in China and Southeast Asia to promote lactoferrin and Neu5Ac as functional additives for enhanced formula milk powder.
Increased Production: Aim for 100kg of lactoferrin and 500kg of Neu5Ac products.
Ingredient | LA&N Unit Price | Production (kg) | Revenue (USD) |
---|---|---|---|
Lactoferrin | 780 | 100 | 78,000 |
Neu5Ac | 3300 | 500 | 1,650,000 |
Total Revenue | - | - | 1,728,000 |
Ingredient | LA&N Unit Price | Production (kg) | Revenue (USD) |
---|---|---|---|
Lactoferrin | 700 | 200 | 140,000 |
Neu5Ac | 3000 | 1000 | 3,000,000 |
Standalone Nutritional Supplements | 10 | 500 cans | 5,000 |
Total Revenue | - | - | 3,145,000 |
5 million RMB (approximately USD 750,000)