At the 2nd Precision Nutrition Industry Conference held in Harbin from August 21st to 23rd, industry leaders gathered to explore advances in precision protein nutrition for lifelong health. The event, hosted by the Precision Nutrition Industry Branch of the Chinese Nutrition Society, was solely undertaken by Feihe, which unveiled its new raw material brand "Zhichun." This launch included six protein ingredients, five premix products, and a series of new all-age nutrition offerings, alongside several strategic partnerships with leading nutrition and sports brands, officially marking Feihe's entry into the protein raw materials sector.
During the conference, an exclusive interview was conducted with Zhu Tianze, Chairman of Zhiwei Green Biotechnology (Heilongjiang) Co., Ltd. As a high-end core ingredient for infant formula, HMO has long been monopolized by overseas giants. The question facing the industry is clear: how can companies break through technical barriers to achieve independent domestic R&D and large-scale production of HMO, while also expanding its applications from infant nutrition to a broader spectrum of life stages?
Throughout the discussion, Zhu Tianze's focus remained on the overarching theme of self-sufficiency in raw materials. He pointed out that the domestic HMO sector still lags in terms of bacterial strains. Localizing production, he argued, not only secures the supply chain and reduces costs, but also transitions HMO from a mere conceptual addition to a practical, fully dosed application. Drawing on the deep collaboration with Feihe through a joint venture, he detailed the differentiated advantages of using synthetic biology to develop rare HMOs. He also highlighted the vast untapped potential for HMO in adult gut regulation and immune modulation for the elderly, proposing that synthetic biology should advance in tandem with dairy proteins and probiotics to foster a healthy growth trajectory for the precision nutrition industry.
Here are the key points from the interview:
What differentiated advantages does Zhiwei hold in HMO biosynthesis and scale-up compared to traditional overseas methods?
Zhu Tianze: There are over 200 different types of HMO. Overseas, about six or seven have been approved or industrialized, while domestically, only about three are currently approved. We have also collaborated with industry partners and dairy companies to custom-develop some rare HMOs, utilizing our genetic engineering and synthetic biology technologies to bring them to life. We provide these partners with substantial samples so they can research whether these rare HMOs possess any unique functional benefits.
What gaps still need to be addressed for China's infant formula and nutrition industry to achieve true self-sufficiency from the source? What symbolic significance does domestic HMO R&D and production hold for the sector?
Zhu Tianze: I've noticed that in the most critical area of bacterial strains, there is still a certain gap between domestic capabilities and those abroad. Now, domestically, we and other peers are striving to catch up. Secondly, the significance of achieving self-sufficiency in raw materials cannot be overstated. If ingredients like HMO are entirely reliant on imports, then it's crucial for Chinese companies to leverage our rapid supply chain to provide timely delivery. This ensures the freshness of the raw materials. Another aspect is the issue of pricing. Generally, localization helps bring down costs, transforming these ingredients from mere conceptual additions to full-dose applications for a more precise simulation of breast milk.
Zhiwei has co-founded a joint venture with Feihe to tackle HMO. What motivated this deep partnership, and which of Feihe's qualities impressed you most?
Zhu Tianze: During our collaboration, we found China Feihe's meticulous dedication to every single product particularly admirable and truly worth learning from. It's also a trait that resonates with our own approach in tackling the HMO challenge. From an industrial integration perspective, we are keen to partner deeply with leading companies in the sector. This ensures that both parties jointly oversee and strictly manage quality control, guaranteeing that every gram and every batch of raw materials entering the market can withstand rigorous scrutiny.
Beyond infant formula, what other valuable applications could HMO unlock in areas like children's growth, adult gut health, and immune regulation for the elderly?
Zhu Tianze: HMO is, after all, "human milk oligosaccharides," so its primary and most significant application initially lies in infant formula. However, through extensive research, we've found it also plays a beneficial role in addressing adult intestinal issues, particularly in regulating gut microbiota imbalances. This is especially relevant for the elderly.
What is your biggest expectation for the precision nutrition industry over the next three years?
Zhu Tianze: We hope to integrate more synthetic biology and precision fermentation technologies into precision nutrition, rather than viewing it as a replacement. Precision nutrition and the dairy protein industry are complementary, not competitive or undermining each other. I believe this collaborative approach will enable the precision nutrition industry to develop more healthily and rapidly.
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