Bactolife’s Binding Proteins™ reduce the risk of gastrointestinal infections and can benefit people – especially mothers and children – around the world. We are thrilled to continue our journey with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, that has now committed a grant of USDm 2 towards the development of this novel solution.
Children’s diarrhea is a global health problem
Diarrhea remains one of the leading causes of death, ill health, and disability among children under 5 years of age in low- and middle-income countries. Globally, diarrhea is the second leading infectious cause of death, accounting for approx. 10% of deaths in children under 5 years of age. Incidence rate of diarrhea has not changed significantly since the 1980s but deaths due to diarrhea have noticeably decreased – this means handling of disease has improved, but prevention has not.
WHO estimates that 1.5 million infant deaths can be avoided if all babies are breastfed. Of those who survive, growth stunts and chronical illnesses later in life are observed. A well-known side effect with infant formula is a significant increase in diarrhea compared to children who are breastfed. This is linked to the lack of maternal antibodies and other factors important for developing early life immunity.
Binding Proteins™ are the missing component
Bactolife’s Binding Proteins™ represent novel food products designed to balance the gut microbiome reducing the risk of gastrointestinal infections. Binding Proteins™ are milk-homologous proteins, designed to bind to the toxins from gastrointestinal pathogens. Binding Proteins™ are produced in large scale using state-of-the-art biomanufacturing, making them broadly applicable as part of a normal diet. Binding Proteins™ represent a new paradigm within precision gut microbiome by bringing together state of the art protein science with a low cost, broadly applicable, food product registration and market.
With the grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bactolife is one step closer in fulfilling our vision of developing effective and affordable Binding Proteins™ available to the many.
