BoobyBiome, a biotechnology company based at the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health in London, has raised £2.5 million to develop a new device that removes oxygen from breast milk bottles or storage containers. The innovation helps preserve healthy bacteria naturally found in breast milk and extends its shelf life.
“It’s going to set a new precedent in how you should store breast milk,” said Lydia Mapstone, co-founder and chief executive of BoobyBiome. “Breast milk already has a lot of beneficial properties, but by removing oxygen, we believe we can keep it fresher and healthier for longer.”
Accidental Discovery Sparks Innovation
BoobyBiome was founded in 2019 by Mapstone and her fellow scientists Sioned Jones and Tara O’Driscoll while completing their PhDs at King’s College London and University College London. Initially, their research focused on understanding how healthy bacteria in breast milk influence a baby’s gut microbiome.
While collecting samples, the team faced unexpected challenges in preserving bacteria within the milk. After extensive research, they discovered that many of the beneficial microbes are adapted to low-oxygen environments and were dying when exposed to air.
“These bacteria are naturally found in the mammary gland and infant gut, where oxygen levels are very low,” Mapstone explained. “We realised oxygen was harmful to these microbes, which led to the creation of our oxygen-removal device.”
How the Device Works
The newly developed BoobyBiome device removes oxygen from bottles and storage containers, maintaining the natural microbiome and ensuring milk remains closer to its original state. The company plans to launch the product within the next six months.
Alongside the device, BoobyBiome is also working on microbiome drops designed to support babies who cannot be breastfed. These are expected to be available within 18 months.
Funding and Future Plans
The £2.5 million funding round was led by Empirical Ventures and will be used to fast-track the commercial launch of the oxygen-removal device. BoobyBiome also plans to publish peer-reviewed research to reassure new parents about the safety and efficacy of its products.
“We’re not claiming this is better than breastfeeding,” Mapstone said. “Our goal is to restore what infants would naturally have been exposed to beneficial bacteria that support gut health and immunity.”
