Pluri has entered a strategic collaboration with Wilk Technologies to develop unique medical food intended for the elderly.
The partnership will combine Pluri’s 3D cell expansion tech with Wilk’s expertise in developing cultured human breast milk and animal milk products, using the components of breast milk to develop medical food on a commercial scale.
Wilk uses cell culture methods to produce alternative milk lipids based on breast milk components and cow's milk lipids, essentially making breast milk in a laboratory and cow's milk without cows, it says.
Medical foods for the elderly are specifically formulated and designed to meet their unique nutritional needs and health concerns. Demand for medical food products is growing, driven by growing ageing populations and increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses.
Avital Beck, Wilk Technologies’ CEO said: “Wilk Technologies is committed to unlocking the potential of cell-based medical foods. This collaboration presents an opportunity to leverage Pluri’s 3D cell expansion technology with Wilk’s unique cell lines. The collaboration aims to develop and scale Wilk’s innovative products to commercial readiness, potentially leading to powerful medical food for the elderly.”
Pluri’s CEO and president, Yaky Yanay, added: “At Pluri, our mission is to leverage cell-based technology to tackle humanity’s most pressing issues, like age-related health decline and global food insecurity. This collaboration with Wilk Technologies perfectly aligns with our vision as we harness the unique properties of breast milk cells to create medical food solutions for a rapidly growing elderly population. We’re thrilled about the potential of this collaboration to improve the quality of life for millions and revolutionise senior health on a global scale.”
In March this year, Pluri received a patent approval for its 3D bioreactor technology for use in cell cultivation.
