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Human milk oligosaccharides

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Transforming early life nutrition

dsm-firmenich's HMO platform offerings are supported by the latest preclinical and clinical data. These innovative solutions are designed to help you formulate purpose-led products that effectively support key health outcomes in infants, children and across the lifespan. In addition, you can rely on our deep regulatory expertise to navigate safety and approval procedures with speed and confidence.

HMOs and their benefits

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a collection of carbohydrate structures and the third most abundant solid component in human milk after lipids and lactose.1 Clinical research has shown that HMOs may help to optimize microbiota development in infants by nourishing beneficial bacteria, such as bifidobacteria – one of the most abundant microbial genera present in the intestine of a full-term, breast-fed, healthy newborn.2 A healthy gut microbiota could in turn help to protect against harmful microbes and support healthy immune system development.3 HMOs are an important component of human milk, which is the gold standard for infant nutrition.4 HMOs can also be synthetically incorporated into formula milk as a nutritional and functional ingredient.

HMOs in a nutshell

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a collection of carbohydrate structures and the third most abundant solid component in human milk after lipids and lactose.

HMOs in human milk

At least 200 different HMOs have been identified in human milk

Prebiotic agents

HMOs act as prebiotic agents to promote optimal microbiota development in infants

Infant health and development

HMOs may directly and indirectly influence overall infant health and development

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HMOs: A key component of human milk

Recently, more evidence has become available on the effect that HMOs in combination can have on infant growth, health, and development. The latest clinical data suggests that infant formulas supplemented with 5 HMOs can help support a healthier and stronger immune system through the gut. Read more in our latest download.
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Harnessing the power of HMOs to innovate in early life nutrition

Here at dsm-firmenich, we believe in offering science backed solutions to help babies around the world to lead a brighter life. Thanks to new advances in science, the emerging health benefits of HMOs can be leveraged to support infants throughout the first thousand days. Learn more about how dsm-firmenich can support your ambitions in early life nutrition with its industry-leading capabilities.

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Expert insights from Dr. Lars Bode, Director of the Human Milk Institute at the University of California, and Niels Banke, Chief Scientific Officer for HMOs at dsm-firmenich.

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Whitepaper: HMOs – Inspired by Nature, Supported by Science

The emerging science behind HMOs suggests potentially wide-ranging health benefits in and beyond infancy. Download our whitepaper to discover the key mechanisms of action and latest insights on how HMOs may positively impact infant health.

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dsm-firmenich offers one of the broadest portfolios of commercially-available HMOs suitable for a range of applications, and our products are approved for use in more than 160 countries. Offering straight and premix capabilities for HMOs as well as market-ready solutions to help you bring your next innovation to consumers faster, we’re your end-to-end partner in developing purpose-led products.

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Your end-to-end partner for HMO innovation

Beyond ingredients, it takes a partner to achieve the most ambitious product goals. To help support optimal infant development and health outcomes during and beyond early life, dsm-firmenich is spearheading innovation in the field of HMOs. Our extensive range of HMOs is complemented by a broad portfolio of science-backed products and customized solutions. In addition, our regulatory expertise and comprehensive range of expert services provide tailored support across the entire product life cycle – from concept to consumer. Get in touch to discover how we can co-create your next HMO innovation.

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References

  1. Bode L. Human milk oligosaccharides: every baby needs a sugar mama. Glycobiology. 2012;22(9):1147-1162.
  2. Francesca Turroni, Christian Milani, Marco Ventura, Douwe van Sinderen. The human gut microbiota during the initial stages of life: insights from bifidobacteria, Current Opinion in Biotechnology. 2022; 73:81-87.
  3. Gensollen T, Iyer SS, Kasper DL, Blumberg RS. How colonization by microbiota in early life shapes the immune system. Science. 2016;352(6285):539-544.
  4. Bode L. Human milk oligosaccharides: every baby needs a sugar mama. Glycobiology. 2012;22(9):1147-1162.
  5. Bode L. Human milk oligosaccharides: every baby needs a sugar mama. Glycobiology. 2012;22(9):1147-1162.
  6. Walsh, C., Lane, J.A., van Sinderen, D. et al. Human milk oligosaccharide-sharing by a consortium of infant derived Bifidobacterium species. Sci Rep. 2022;12:4143.
  7. Di Mauro A, Neu J, Riezzo G, et al. Gastrointestinal function development and microbiota. Ital J Pediatr. 2013;39:15.
  8. Saavedra JM, Dattilo AM. Early development of intestinal microbiota: implications for future health. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2012;41(4):717-731.
  9. Bode L. Human milk oligosaccharides: every baby needs a sugar mama. Glycobiology. 2012;22(9):1147-1162.
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