Israeli foodtech startup BioMilk has received approval from the Helsinki Committee to move ahead with a study in conjunction with Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva to examine the possibility of producing cultured mother's milk.
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A group of 50 new nursing mothers have volunteered to provide samples of breast milk, which BioMilk will then analyze in its laboratories. The company intends to attempt to separate and culture the cells from the live breast milk, with the hope of proving the feasibility of producing the elements of human breast milk in a cultured product created in a laboratory setting, such as protein and fat.
BioMilk also expects that it might be possible to create additional elements of breast milk that are missing from baby formula manufactured from milk products or plant-based sources.
"Our groundbreaking study with Beilinson [Rabin] Hospital is a major milestone in the revolution and changes we intend to make in the milk industry in Israel and the world. I expect that the results of the study could be the 'next thing' when it comes to the milk substitute market, and will allow any mother who cannot or chooses not to nurse to provide her baby will all the nutritional needs that come from 'traditional' mother's milk, but in cultured form," BioMilk CEO Tomer Eisen said.
In addition to the company's work to produce cultured breast milk, BioMilk is developing a process of producing cultured milk from cells of the milk glands of cows and other mammals, which would eliminate the need for milking and preserve natural resources, as well as prevent cruelty to animals.
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