Day Two

Session details to be announced

• This presentation will explore how recent advances in cell biology and bioprocess engineering enable the production of a broad spectrum of human milk bioactives, including key proteins and HMOs, with high functional fidelity
• We will share how a single upstream process can produce a broad repertoire of human milk constituents in one batch (rather than one molecule per strain/process), and what it takes to scale reliably
• Examine pathways to industrial scale, addressing key challenges around yield, batch consistency, cost trajectories, and integration into existing infant formula manufacturing systems

• Examine how plant-based bioengineering unlocks the production of structurally complex and high-value HMOs that have been difficult or impossible to manufacture using microbial fermentation platforms
• Explore scalable pathways for producing a broad diversity of HMOs at lower cost, leveraging agricultural systems to improve yield, consistency, and economic viability for widespread infant formula adoption
• Discuss how access to the full spectrum of HMOs can better support infant gut microbiome development and immune health, enabling formula designs that more closely reflect the functional complexity of human milk
• Assess the scientific, manufacturing, and investment considerations for translating plant-derived HMO platforms from research breakthroughs into commercially viable, globally accessible nutrition solutions for infants and beyond

• Comprehensive overview of available HMOs and their functional benefits for infant gut and immune health
• Practical insights into production challenges, including low yield, cost barriers, and strategies for scaling HMO manufacturing efficiently
• Strategic lessons from early adopters on navigating scientific, commercial, and formulation challenges to bring HMOs to market successfully

• Highlight recent advances in precision fermentation for producing human-milkrelevant proteins, including human lactoferrin and other bioactive proteins, and explain how this technology enables nature-identical functional ingredients at high purity and consistency beyond traditional dairy sourcing
• Define the scientific and regulatory frameworks needed to responsibly introduce novel precision-fermented proteins into infant nutrition
• Discuss the real-world challenges and strategies for scaling precision fermentation from lab to industrial production, including considerations for manufacturing capacity, cost structure, quality control, and supply reliability
• Explore the future potential of precision-fermented proteins to diversify ingredient portfolios, reduce reliance on traditional agriculture

• How parents and caregivers perceive and evaluate novel infant formula ingredients, and the key factors that drive acceptance or resistance
• The impact of safety incidents and recalls on long-term consumer trust and willingness to embrace innovation
• How innovators and manufacturers can design and defend credible safety testing strategies for novel ingredients amid increasing public scrutiny
• How brands can navigate uncertainty, misinformation, and heightened scrutiny through effective positioning and timely communication
• The challenge of aligning scientific evidence, regulatory language, and consumer understanding without oversimplifying complex realities
• Where transparency adds the most value in infant formula, balancing accessibility, clarity, and information overload

• Gain a clear, end-to-end view of how novel ingredients are evaluated, from first screening through pilot trials to full commercial adoption, and what determines decisions
• Define the evidence that moves the market, understanding the evidence package required to advance ingredients, including regulatory readiness, clinical validation, functional performance, and supply security
• Align on realistic timelines and economics, from initial engagement to revenue generation, helping innovators and partners plan investment and scale appropriately
• Set shared priorities for accelerating innovation, synthesize summit insights into actionable industry priorities