Novonesis makes minority investment in TurtleTree to scale precision fermentation platform for lactoferrin production

Type: Investment · Technology: Agriculture · Country: United States, Singapore · Announced: 2026-07-08

Biotech startup TurtleTree secured a minority investment from biosolutions giant Novonesis to scale its precision fermentation platform, with financial terms undisclosed. The partnership includes an exclusive agreement to commercialize TurtleTree’s lactoferrin product, a multifunctional protein found in milk with applications in iron regulation, gut health, and immunity. TurtleTree, headquartered in the US and Singapore, transitioned from cell-cultured milk to precision fermentation to produce dairy proteins like lactoferrin at scale, addressing high extraction costs that previously limited its use in supplements and ingredients. In 2025, TurtleTree received a No Questions letter from the US Food and Drug Administration for its lactoferrin LF+ product, marking the first regulatory approval worldwide for precision-fermented lactoferrin. Mitsui Chemicals’ corporate venture arm, 321Catalyst Ventures, also participated in the investment, leveraging Mitsui’s strong presence in Japan, one of the largest lactoferrin producers globally.

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