Checkerspot and Huvepharma Partner to Commercialize Groundbreaking Human Milk Fat Analog
After several years of product development we are extremely proud to take the next step and announce our commercialization agreement with Huvepharma. Clearing a major technological hurdle, this partnership is set to scale the production of our high sn-2 palmitate algal oil (OPO).
This partnership combines Checkerspot’s proprietary molecular and strain engineering platform with Huvepharma’s world-class fermentation and manufacturing and distribution capabilities. Together, the companies will scale production to meet growing global demand from infant formula manufacturers for a next-generation human milk fat analogue.
“Partnering with Huvepharma allows us to bring high sn-2 palmitate algal oil to industrial scale and make it accessible to infant formula brands worldwide. This is a key milestone in redefining how high-performance fats and oils for nutrition are sourced and produced,” said John Krzywicki, CEO of Checkerspot.
What Is OPO and Why Does It Matter for Infant Formula
Infant nutrition has long been hampered by challenges: limited ingredient availability, variability in quality, and lack of access to ingredients with the molecular composition that replicate the full functionality of maternal milk. One of the most significant of these molecules is OPO, a uniquely structured lipid naturally present in maternal milk that is the primary source of calories for infants. These lipids play a critical role in infant nutrition by supporting nutrient absorption and digestive comfort.
Today, infant formula manufacturers rely on a range of fat blends. Some brands use palm oil–derived ingredients, which can be enzymatically restructured to partially mimic the triglyceride structures found in maternal milk. Others, including several major brands, formulate with conventional vegetable oils such as high-oleic sunflower, rapeseed, or soybean oil. While these oils are safe and suitable for infants, they do not provide the specific concentration or structural arrangement of palmitic acid that maternal milk delivers.
Since those oils make up about 40-60% of an infant formula’s lipid content, advances in mimicking natural lipid structures are critically important. This is where we come in.
With this innovation, we are introducing a step-change improvement: a fermentation-derived oil that more closely replicates the natural structure of human milk fat without relying on palm oil. Derived directly from fermentation of simple sugars by microalgae, the ingredient eliminates the need for palm-based precursors and bypasses enzymatic modification, offering a cleaner and more sustainable process. It is free from environmental contaminants and potential processing adulteration, while ensuring a premium level of safety, quality, and consistency thanks to precision fermentation.
The Breakthrough Potential of Precision Fermentation and The Industry’s Growing Need for High-Performance, Scalable Ingredients
In January of 2024 we showcased our successful development of OPO from microalgae in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition as part of our new focus into food and nutrition. Our work at the molecular level allows us to target hard to access molecules found in nature and get highly precise on their molecular composition. Our OPO molecule or more accurately known as high sn-2 palmitate algal oil is a unique human milk fat analog containing palmitic acid in sn-2 position in the range of 70-75% of total palmitic acid, directly targeting the range found in maternal milk.
Global demand for infant formula is on the rise, particularly in emerging markets where breastfeeding may not always be possible due to work, health, or societal factors. At the same time, regulatory bodies and parents alike are calling for greater transparency, cleaner labels, and more functional nutrition. Manufacturers face the daunting challenge of meeting these expectations while navigating complex supply chains and limited ingredient options.
Precision fermentation offers a powerful solution. With the ability to produce rare, structured triglycerides like OPO, we are narrowing the nutritional gap in infant formula and building a more resilient and sustainable ingredient supply chain.
With the successful development of our high sn-2 palmitate algal oil, we are laying the foundation for a new generation of nutritional ingredients: cleaner, more functional, and more accessible. With the trust and confidence from manufactures like Huvepharma we’re taking a leap forward in bringing ingredients from scientific publication to grocery store shelves. We’re proud to support partners across the nutrition and ingredient landscape in reimagining what’s possible for improving health at all life’s stages.
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