Human milk oligosaccharides market

The composition of the human milk contains three major types of HMOs: acid, neutral, and fucosyl. Each is based on the lactose molecule. Lactose synthase is a complex enzyme, composed of two proteins: alpha-lactalbumin and beta-1, 4-galactosyltransferase. The B4GALT1 gene codes for two enzymatic forms of the protein. The richness of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) has attracted scientists to their study. These complex sugars, present in mother's milk, are believed to support an infant's immune system and strengthen the gut barrier by blocking pathogens. As such, they are an exciting central area of infant nutrition research. This article explores their benefits and mechanisms of action in infants, including their anti-adhesive properties and effects on bacterial flora development.

Market Statistics:

The global Human Milk Oligosaccharides market was valued at US$ 152.41 Mn in 2021 and is forecast to reach a value of US$ 612.0 Mn by 2030 at a CAGR of 19.65% between 2021 and 2030.

North America held dominant position in the global Human Milk Oligosaccharides market in 2021, accounting for 38.5% share in terms of volume, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific, respectively.

Figure 1. Global Human Milk Oligosaccharides Market Value Share (%), By Region, 2021

Recent Developments:

1. In September 2021, Chr Hansen has signed an agreement with industrial biotechnology company Jennewein Biotechnologie to acquire its complete stake in a EUR 310 million deal; Jennewein is involved in the production of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and rare monosaccharides such as L-Fucose and Sialic acid.
2. In March 2021, BASF announced that PREBILAC, BASF’s brand of 2’-FL, had received approval from the Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), making it the first and only 2’-FL ingredient to receive TGA approval as a prebiotic ingredient.
3. In May 2019, BASF SE and Glycosyn signed a partnership agreement for the development and commercialization of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for broad use in dietary supplements, functional nutrition, and medical food. The strategic partnership includes exclusive license of Glycosyn´s patent portfolio for gut health beyond infant nutrition to BASF SE.

Market Drivers:

Growing awareness regarding health benefits of HMO is driving growth of the human milk oligosaccharides market. HMO research (clinical and preclinical) suggests that specific HMOs at the correct level of supplementation can provide babies with unique health benefits. In particular, Human Milk Oligosaccharide supports immunity and gut health, with a potential role in cognitive development, which may open future innovation opportunities and thus, would increase the demand of HMOs globally.

New product launch is another key factor propelling growth of the market. For instance, in November 2021, Abbott launched its most innovative infant formula yet, Similac Pro-Advance® with 2'-Fucosyllactose Oligosaccharide† (2'-FL†), which is the first product in Canada with this breakthrough ingredient in infant formula.

Figure 2. Human Milk Oligosaccharides Market Value Share (%), By Application, 2021

Market Restraints:

Growing government initiatives to encourage breastfeeding over formula feeding is expected to hinder the growth of the market. The US Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend exclusive breastfeeding alert icons for about six months and then continuing breastfeeding while introducing complementary foods alert icons until your child is 12 months old or older. Health experts believe breast milk is the best nutritional choice for infants. The natural breastfeeding HMOs provide the child with ideal nutrition and supports growth and development more than the artificial synthesized HMOs.

Market Opportunities:

Increasing adoption of strategic partnership and agreement among key players is projected to bring lucrative growth opportunities. For instance, in 2021, Royal DSM, acquired Glycom, one of the suppliers of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO), for an enterprise value of USD 765 million. Through the acquisition, DSM could increase the growth of Glycom by offering HMO products under the "Early Life Nutrition" segment, and further could accelerate the HMO product development of Glycom by leveraging its R&D platform and clinical competencies to support Glycom's development of next-generation HMOs.

Growing focus of key manufacturer to increase the production of HMO is also projected to offer significant growth opportunities. For instance, in November 2021, Kyowa Hakko, an international health ingredient manufacturer, established a new facility to manufacture human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in Thailand. The company aimed to establish an industrial-scale HMO production system, and the application of this system would be the company's medium- to long-term growth strategy, as it planned to supply HMOs to other companies and utilize the facility for its own product development.

Market Trends/Key Takeaways:

Growing trend of non-genetically modified human milk oligosaccharides is expected to propel growth of the market growth. The consumers are becoming more food-conscious and are looking for clean label non-genetically modified ingredients which are made from sustainable, natural sources. This increased demand for non-GMO products have created a promising opportunity for the HMO manufactures to create a proprietary process for the scalable production of a non-GMO human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) to boost their sales.

Increasing demand for clean label ingredients is again projected to foster market growth. For instance, in August 2021, Congara introduced   non- genetically modified HMO 2’- fucosyllactose (2’FL). The company focused on using synthetic biology tools to develop high-quality, sustainable nature-based products through systems of manufacturing on a molecular level and fermentation basis.

Competitive Landscape:

1. ZuChem Inc.
2. Merck & Co. Inc.
3. Chr. Hansen Holding AS (Jennewein Biotechnologie GmbH)
4. Royal FrieslandCampina NV
5. BASF
6. IFF (DuPont Nutrition & Health)
7. Gnubiotics
8. Inbiose NV
9. Carbosynth Holdings Limited
10. Royal DSM N.V

Detailed Segmentation:

Global Human Milk Oligosaccharides Market, By Application:

• Infant Formula
• Dietary Supplements
• Functional Food and Beverage

Global Human Milk Oligosaccharides Market, By Geography:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Rest of the World