A new study by Sweden’s Ironic Biotech shows that its precision-fermented heme protein absorbs iron 65 times better than lactoferrin, and at comparable levels to red meat.
In a welcome development for the supplement industry and fertility clinics, a new sustainable protein ingredient has been found to exhibit far better iron absorption rates than other iron products.
In a new in vitro study, Swedish startup Ironic Biotech found that its plant-derived heme protein can absorb iron 65 times better than lactoferrin (an iron-binding whey protein found in breast milk and bovine colostrum) when combined with ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
Further, it outperforms iron sulfate and other common iron ingredients used in supplements, like iron bisglycinate and ferritin with enhancers, by a factor of more than 10.
“Our studies show that our iron product absorbs as well as iron from red meat, which is a problematic iron source for multiple reasons. We have seen significant progress in the past year, and these study results increase our confidence in our product’s commercial viability,” said founder and CEO Nélida Leiva Eriksson.
The study comes as fertility rates in the US dropped to an all-time low in 2024, leading to projections of growth for the fertility clinic market. Iron deficiency is detrimental to fertility and can cause severe anaemia during pregnancy if left untreated prior to it, so Ironic Biotech’s precision-fermented ingredient could help clinics working to help customers absorb enough iron.
Anaemia disproportionately affects women, and iron supplements don’t help
Eriksson, an associate professor at Sweden’s Lund University, founded the startup in 2020. It was her own anaemia diagnosis that sparked the idea, as she was determined to find a solution that would prevent her daughters from becoming iron-deficient.
When the amount of iron in the body is too low, it can’t produce enough red blood cells to generate oxygen supply. Moreover, the mineral is crucial for supporting brain development, physical performance, and immune function.
Nearly two billion people, or a quarter of the global population, suffer from anaemia, with cases increasing rapidly for women, expectant mothers, young girls, and children under five. Iron deficiency is linked to conditions like heart failure, pregnancy complications, ADHD, autism, and impaired motor skills in children.
While anaemia only affects 17.5% of men, this rises to 31% of women. And the difference becomes starker during reproductive ages, thanks primarily to iron deficiency. Menstruation causes a periodic loss of blood, which means iron stocks need to be replenished regularly. Gynaecological disorders and maternal haemorrhage are also key contributors to anaemia incidence among women of reproductive age.
This is why many women are advised to take iron supplements and, in severe cases, iron infusion therapy. Leiva Eriksson had to undergo the latter. However, the high cost of these procedures – from several hundred dollars to over $1,000 – makes them very inaccessible.
As for supplements, most iron ingredients used in these products are poorly absorbed, with 90% of the iron going through our digestive tracts unabsorbed. People are recommended to consume 18mg of iron daily, but they only need 1mg if it’s efficiently absorbed. Plus, supplements have been linked to various side effects, including nausea, dizziness, stomach ache, constipation, and organ damage.
Iron is used to make haemoglobin, which helps cells carry oxygen throughout the body, and myoglobin, which stores and provides oxygen when needed. These are part of the heme protein family, which are essential for oxygen regulation and human growth and development.
To make its heme-iron protein, Ironic Biotech employs precision fermentation on food-safe plant proteins that contain high amounts of bioavailable iron without any side effects and a fraction of the climate footprint of red meat. “The genes for these proteins are sourced from edible vegetables, ensuring that the final product is suitable for human consumption,” Eriksson told Green Queen.
Ironic Biotech completes pilot-scale production amid latest fundraise
The startup’s protein is tasteless, shelf-stable, and can be powdered, frozen or granulated, making it a useful tool to fortify everything from probiotics and gummies to orange juice and plant-based milk.
Eriksson believes the results of the iron absorption study set Ironic Biotech’s protein apart from other iron ingredients. “Our protein allows supplement and food companies to use smaller amounts of iron, without compromising on effectiveness and without altering the flavour of the product,” she said.
“Milk fortified with 100mg of Ironic’s iron-protein per 200ml showed approximately 60% higher in-vitro iron uptake compared to the same milk without added iron. This result is just one of the many examples we have of how a modest amount of our protein can dramatically increase bioavailable iron,” she explained.
“Imagine people taking our proteins as they are or adding them to their favourite meals, getting the energy they need with minimal effort. We are opening up many opportunities for people to get the iron they need without fuss or side effects.”
The company is now conducting further formulation studies with other common enhancers, like vitamin B12 and folic acid. It raised €1M ($1.1M) in pre-seed funding last year, and is now looking to expand production and advance regulatory preparation.
“We are currently in the process of raising our seed funding round,” said Eriksson. Ironic Biotech’s initial applications will be in premium supplements and fortified foods, as part of collaborations focused on intravenous iron clinics, women’s wellness, periconception nutrition, and performance and everyday energy formats.
“We have completed pilot-scale production using a laboratory strain,” she said. “Building on this experience, and with the forthcoming funding, we will progress to pilot-scale production with the food-grade strain, followed by scaling up to industrial-level production of food-grade Ironic proteins.”
The post Women’s Health: Ironic Biotech Fermented Plant Protein Absorbs Iron Way Better Than Supplements appeared first on Green Queen.
This post was originally published on Green Queen.