Primogene, a Leipzig-based biotech developing sustainable enzymatic bioprocesses for complex bioactive molecules mimicking human breastmilk compounds, has raised €4.1 million ($4.8M) in seed funding led by HTGF. The proprietary HuReCa® platform produces human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) like DSLNT and LNDFH I at industrial scale for nutrition and personal care. The capital will expand IP, partnerships, production, and team growth.
Precision Fermentation Sees New Capital
The round comes amid renewed investor interest in precision fermentation for nutrition ingredients. Standing Ovation raised $34.2M in March 2026 to scale dairy proteins, while Verley secured $38M Series A for whey proteins. Primogene's enzymatic approach bypasses fermentation limitations, targeting breastmilk bioactives for preterm infants where current solutions fall short.
Preterm Infants Miss Key Bioactives
Preterm babies lack third-trimester breastmilk compounds essential for immune, gut, and neurodevelopment. Over 65% of 2023 infant formulas now include HMOs, per HTGF, yet complex ones like DSLNT remain hard to produce at scale. Fermentation methods struggle with purity and cost for human-identical molecules. Primogene addresses this gap with animal-free ingredients for fortified formulas.
HuReCa Platform Enables Scalable Production
The HuReCa® platform uses cell-free multi-enzyme cascades to synthesize HMOs and glycoproteins identical to natural breastmilk versions. Unlike fermentation, it offers higher efficiency and sustainability for industrial volumes. Early products target preterm nutrition, with personal care actives already in commercial use. Partnerships with Fraunhofer IZI develop bioactives against RSV and sepsis.
As Dr.-Ing. Reza Mahour, Co-Founder & CEO, noted:
"The capital will enable us to build the next phase of Primogene by scaling production, growing the team, and accelerating the industrial launch of our products."
Regional Investors Back Biotech Scale-Up
HTGF led the round, joined by TGFS Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen, SBG, better ventures, Golzern Holding, and FS Life Science Investment. Investors highlight the team's Max Planck roots and Leipzig ecosystem strength. Dr. Stephan Ruck of HTGF praised the scientific excellence and industrial relevance. This mix signals conviction in enzymatic biomanufacturing over traditional methods.
As Dr. Stephan Ruck of HTGF noted:
"Primogene combines deep scientific excellence with strong industrial relevance… We are very happy about the financing round."
Fermentation Market Powers Toward $76B
The precision fermentation market stands at $4.91B in 2025, projected to reach $75.76B by 2035 at over 41% CAGR, per Precedence Research. The HMO segment grows 18-20% annually, with the overall market from $309M in 2026 to $1.4B by 2034 at 20.9% CAGR, per Fortune Business Insights. Competitors like Jennewein Biotechnologie, acquired by DSM, dominate HMOs, but Primogene differentiates in preterm-specific bioactives.
Max Planck Alumni Drive Expertise
Co-Founders Reza Mahour (CEO) and Valerian Grote (CTO) bring PhDs from Max Planck Institute, with publications on multi-enzyme cascades for HMOs. Mahour scaled processes at c-LEcta, acquired by Kerry Group in 2022. COO Linda Karger, Forbes 30 Under 30, handles business development. This technical-business balance positions Primogene for commercialization.
Production Ramp Targets Partnerships
Funds support scaling production for DSLNT in preterm nutrition and LNDFH I, plus IP expansion. The company seeks infant formula partners and eyes pharma applications. With €1.3M Fraunhofer collaboration and a CHEManager award, Primogene advances toward industrial launches.