Vivici strikes gold with US debut of precision-fermented lactoferrin

Vivici has launched its precision-fermented lactoferrin ingredient, Vivitein LF, in the USA, marking a commercial milestone for a protein long regarded as one of dairy’s most valuable and elusive components.

• Vivici has launched its precision-fermented lactoferrin ingredient, Vivitein LF, in the US market.
• The company has secured self-affirmed GRAS status for Vivitein LF in the United States.
• Vivitein LF has been produced via precision fermentation to address supply and cost constraints associated with traditionally sourced lactoferrin.

Often referred to as 'pink gold', lactoferrin has been prized for its role in supporting the body’s natural balance and resilience, but its low abundance in milk has historically made it scarce and expensive. For years, nutrition innovators have viewed the whey protein as holding vast potential, yet commercially out of reach at meaningful scale.

Vivici has now sought to change that equation. The Dutch ingredients company has introduced Vivitein LF as part of its Vivitein portfolio of functional proteins, stating that the ingredient addresses the supply and cost challenges associated with conventionally produced lactoferrin.

Produced through precision fermentation, Vivitein LF has been designed to unlock access to one of dairy’s most valuable bioactives without relying on traditional extraction from milk. The company reported that it has achieved self-affirmed GRAS status in the US for the ingredient, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for commercialization.

“The question that will define the health and wellness industry for years to come, is how can we help the body’s own system maintain health from within,” said Stephan van Sint Fiet, CEO of Vivici. “Innovators who effectively fulfill this unmet consumer demand with innovative and transformative health products leveraging breakthrough proteins, such as Vivitein LF, will succeed.”

Vivici described Vivitein LF as a high-purity, multifunctional protein ingredient intended to support product innovation across several health and wellness categories. The company stated that the ingredient supports gut health by optimizing microbiome balance and strengthening the gut barrier. It also helps manage the body’s inflammatory response, particularly in situations where repeated exercise drives chronic low-grade inflammation.

In addition, Vivici reported that Vivitein LF gently mobilizes iron to improve its utilization in the body, potentially supporting women with low iron levels seeking sustained vitality throughout the day.

The launch comes against the backdrop of a rapidly expanding global health and wellness food market. Valued at approximately US$938 billion in 2024, the sector is projected to reach US$2.2 trillion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%. Among the most sought-after health benefits, according to market data cited by the company, are energy and gut health.

By targeting these high-demand areas, Vivici has aligned Vivitein LF with broader consumer trends centered on proactive health management and performance support. The ingredient has been positioned for use in applications spanning gut health formulations, performance recovery products, and solutions designed to promote sustained vitality.

Vivitein LF represents the second commercial ingredient under the Vivitein brand. It follows the earlier launch of Vivitein BLG, the company’s beta-lactoglobulin ingredient, which Vivici has described as its flagship product.

Founded in 2023, Vivici was established to realize the commercial potential of precision fermentation in dairy proteins. The company has combined ingredient application expertise with commercial and technical leadership in an effort to accelerate the development and scaling of functional proteins produced without conventional animal agriculture.

With the introduction of Vivitein LF in the US, Vivici has continued to build out its ingredient portfolio while expanding its geographic footprint. The company reported that it is growing its manufacturing footprint to establish a global supply network and to accelerate market access across regions and application segments.

Vivici will present its Vivitein portfolio, including Vivitein LF, at Expo West 2026 in Anaheim, where it plans to engage with nutrition innovators and health-focused brands seeking new functional protein solutions.

The commercialization of precision-fermented lactoferrin reflects a broader shift within the ingredients sector toward alternative production platforms capable of delivering high-value bioactives at scale. By decoupling lactoferrin production from the constraints of milk supply, Vivici has aimed to make the protein more accessible to formulators exploring next-generation health and wellness products.

For a protein once considered too rare and costly to deploy widely, the US debut of Vivitein LF marks a significant step toward mainstream availability.