In Episode #167 of the PricePlow Podcast, Mike and Ben welcome Laura Katz, founder and CEO of Helaina, for an in-depth exploration of human-identical lactoferrin technology and the revolutionary effera⢠ingredient. This fascinating conversation traces Laura's journey from discovering the black market for breast milk to developing precision fermentation technology that creates bioactive proteins identical to those found in human milk.
From Black Market Discovery to Biotechnology Breakthrough: The Helaina Story
Laura, a food scientist by training, shares the unexpected inspiration behind Helaina - a 2015 podcast about people purchasing breast milk from strangers on the internet. This revelation led her to recognize that bodybuilders, athletes, cancer patients, and parents were all seeking the same thing: access to the bioactive proteins found exclusively in human milk. Rather than accepting this dangerous black market solution, Laura set out to replicate these components using precision fermentation technology.
Six years later, Helaina has launched efferaâ¢, the world's first commercially available human-identical lactoferrin ingredient produced through yeast fermentation. Unlike bovine lactoferrin extracted from cow's milk, effera⢠is recognized by the human body as "self," demonstrating superior bioavailability, reduced immunogenicity, and enhanced efficacy across multiple health applications from women's health to athletic performance.
The discussion reveals compelling clinical data showing that participants taking bovine lactoferrin developed antibodies against the protein, while those taking effera⢠showed no immune response - a critical finding that validates the "human proteins for humans" hypothesis. Mike also shares his personal experience using lactoferrin to help manage dangerously high ferritin levels, providing real-world context for the ingredient's iron-regulating capabilities.
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https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/laura-katz-effera-lactoferrin-167
Video: Laura Katz Explains Human-Identical Lactoferrin Technology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7hEQcAeRFg
Detailed Show Notes: The Science and Business of Human Bioactive Proteins
(0:00) – Introduction: Meeting the Founder Who's Replicating Human Milk
(3:00) – The Black Market Discovery That Started Everything
(5:45) – Building a Biotech Company in 2019/2020 Through Cold Emails
(8:45) – Why Existing Lactoferrin Wasn't Good Enough
(12:00) – What about Colostrum? The First Milk's Unique Properties
(14:45) – Lactoferrin Deep Dive: The Iron-Binding Miracle Molecule
(17:45) – The Declining Lactoferrin Phenomenon and Supplementation Benefits
(21:00) – efferaâ¢: Creating Human-Identical Lactoferrin Through Precision Fermentation
(23:45) – Clinical Proof: Why Human Beats Bovine
(27:00) – The Iron Regulation Mechanism: More Than Just Binding
(29:45) – Women's Health Applications: Pregnancy and Menopause Opportunities
(33:00) – The Prenatal Vitamin Revolution: An Untapped Market
(37:45) – Athletic Applications: Beyond Ir...
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