Jennewein Biotechnologie announced that the company has signed a license agreement with Pfizer Nutrition to develop and market two Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs). Human Milk Oligosaccharides represent a major component of mother’s milk, and provide short and long-term benefits to infants from birth onwards. Scientific research has shown that HMOs can significantly lower infants’ risk of infection during the time of lactation. In addition, these compounds are known to influence colonization of beneficial bacteria and support healthy immune development.

The partnership will focus on enabling the functional and immunological benefits of HMOs to become available to infants being fed with infant formulas. Human milk, the “gold standard” due to its special composition of lipids, proteins and HMOs, is the best nutrition for infants.

“Building upon nearly a century as pioneers in infant nutritional science, we are constantly striving to more closely replicate the composition and functional benefits of breast milk, and this partnership truly helps further this mission,” stated John Troup, PhD, Vice President, Global Research & Development, Pfizer Nutrition.

Dr. Stefan Jennewein, managing director and Cofounder of Jennewein Biotechnologie, underlines, “Complex oligosaccharides in general and HMOs in particular show an enormous potential for use in human nutrition. The cooperation between Pfizer Nutrition and Jennewein Biotechnologie will accelerate the developments in this field by bringing together specific complementary competencies.”

Jennewein plans to also focus on adult nutrition, in addition to infant formulas, in the commercialization of HMOs so as to bring the benefits of this natural product to a broader group of consumers.

Jennewein Biotechnologie GmbH, found in 2005 in Rheinbreitbach (Germany), is a science based company in the field of industrial biotechnology. The company is focusing its activities on the development of innovative production processes for scarce and complex mono- and oligosaccharides.

Pfizer Nutrition, formerly Wyeth Nutrition, is part of Pfizer Inc. Pfizer Nutrition supports the company’s mission to improve health and well-being at every stage of life, bringing breadth and depth of consumer and scientific insight to new populations and new markets around the world.