London biotech rethinking breast milk raises £2.5 million

A London-based biotech firm that aims to improve infant health with its research into the microbiomes of breast milk has raised £2.5 million.

BoobyBiome, a spinout from University College London (UCL)’s Great Ormond Street Hospital, was founded by a team of scientists looking to tackle infant health issues by improving the nutrition of their nourishment.

The startup claims that infant health issues ranging from allergies and asthma to type 1 diabetes are linked to inadequate microbiome development.

Microbiomes are the communities of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in the body. According to BoobyBiome, the microbiome present in human breast milk plays a crucial role in strengthening infant immune defences.

Despite this, breastfeeding is simply not always an option, depending on a range of medical, physical and personal factors.

BoobyBiome is offering two solutions to improving the health of babies. It claims its storage system for breast milk preserves the natural health-giving qualities and it says its live microbiome drop can support babies who are formula-fed.

Chief executive Dr Lydia Mapstone said:

This funding marks a major milestone in our mission to revolutionise infant feeding and ensure every baby has equal access to a healthy future. It represents five years of dedication to understanding breast milk and harnessing its power for infant health.

The funding round was led by Empirical Ventures and included participation from The Helm, XFactor Ventures, Lavender Ventures, Kayan Ventures, Evenlode Investment and angels.

Empirical Ventures co-founder and general partner Dr Ben Miles said:

We’re proud to support the brilliant team at BoobyBiome as they advance their research and bring their groundbreaking technology to market. Lydia, Sioned, and Tara’s combined expertise makes them exceptionally well placed to transform infant health, and their work addresses a critical gap that has been overlooked for too long.