UK-based startup Better Dairy has successfully produced osteopontin—an essential bioactive protein found in human milk—using precision fermentation. This scalable, animal-free process enables cost-effective production of osteopontin for use in infant nutrition, sports supplements, and health products. With proprietary technology enabling post-translational modifications, Better Dairy aims to lead the market in bioactive dairy alternatives and expects GRAS status by early 2026.
In a major leap forward for alternative dairy and biotechnology, UK-based startup Better Dairy has successfully developed animal-free osteopontin, a key bioactive protein naturally found in human milk, using precision fermentation technology. This innovation marks a critical milestone in the production of high-value functional ingredients for the nutrition and wellness industries.
Osteopontin is recognized for its essential role in infant development, contributing to growth, immunity, gut health, and cognitive function. In adults, it is linked to bone health, tissue regeneration, and immune system support. However, producing osteopontin through traditional dairy methods is highly inefficient—requiring thousands of liters of cow’s milk to obtain just one kilogram of the protein. This inefficiency has limited its availability and escalated its cost.
Better Dairy’s breakthrough uses genetically engineered yeast to produce osteopontin in a scalable, sustainable, and animal-free manner. A key differentiator lies in the startup’s ability to replicate critical post-translational modifications, especially phosphorylation, during protein synthesis. These modifications are essential for maintaining the protein’s bioactivity, and Better Dairy’s success in this area gives it a significant technological edge. The company has secured a published patent for this proprietary process.
Currently undergoing scale-up trials, Better Dairy aims to achieve self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status by Q1 2026, with a formal notification to the U.S. FDA to follow. Additionally, the company is developing a second-generation production strain to further boost yield and efficiency.
By focusing on high-margin, low-volume ingredients like osteopontin, Better Dairy positions itself for a faster route to profitability than traditional dairy protein alternatives like casein. This strategic emphasis aligns with a broader industry trend of prioritizing premium bioactives before expanding to more commoditized protein markets.
Industry Impact
Better Dairy’s development of precision-fermented osteopontin showcases how biotechnology is transforming the future of nutrition. With rising demand for clean-label, functional ingredients and increasing scrutiny of traditional animal agriculture, the company’s innovation highlights a new frontier in sustainable food technology.
As Better Dairy continues to refine its technology and move toward commercialization, its work could set a new standard for how bioactive dairy components are produced—without the cow.
