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Dutch ingredients start-up Vivici has launched Vivitein LF in the US, introducing a precision-fermented version of lactoferrin that aims to address longstanding supply and cost constraints around one of dairy’s most prized functional proteins.

Lactoferrin, a bioactive whey fraction associated with immune modulation, iron absorption and gut barrier support, is typically extracted in small quantities from milk, making it scarce and expensive.

As a result, its use has largely been confined to premium infant formula and specialist medical nutrition.

Vivici’s approach uses precision fermentation to produce lactoferrin without animal inputs, enabling higher purity and potentially a more predictable supply.

The ingredient has achieved self-affirmed GRAS status in the US, clearing a key commercial hurdle and allowing food, beverage and supplement manufacturers to incorporate it into finished products.

The move comes as demand accelerates across the $938 billion global health and wellness foods market, projected to exceed $2.2 trillion by 2032.

Energy, gut health and immune resilience remain priority claims for consumers, creating expansion potential for lactoferrin beyond early-life nutrition into women’s health, active recovery and functional beverages.

Vivitein LF is the second product under Vivici’s Vivitein platform, following beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), and signals a broader strategy to build a portfolio of high-value dairy proteins via fermentation.

Backed by established dairy and nutrition players, the company is expanding its manufacturing footprint to support global scale-up.

For ingredient buyers, the key question will be whether fermentation-derived lactoferrin can reach price points that unlock mainstream applications, potentially reshaping sourcing strategies in categories where supply security and clinical substantiation are critical competitive levers.