London-based biotech startup BoobyBiome has raised €2.8 million in seed funding to scale internationally and advance its infant feeding solutions built on the science of the breast milk microbiome.
The round was led by deeptech investor Empirical Ventures, with participation from The Helm, XFactor Ventures, Lavender Ventures, Kayan Ventures, and Evenlode Investment. Angels included Dominic Hollamby, Lord Ara Darzi, Yael Cohen, and Vanessa Colomar.
Founded in 2019 by scientists Dr Lydia Mapstone, Dr Sioned Jones, and Dr Tara O’Driscoll, BoobyBiome has developed the world’s largest high-resolution breast milk microbiome database and a biobank of proprietary bacterial strains. The company aims to tackle rising rates of infant health issues—including allergies, asthma, type 1 diabetes, and obesity—linked to inadequate microbiome development.
“This funding marks a major milestone in our mission to revolutionise infant feeding and ensure every baby has equal access to a healthy future” ~ CEO, Dr Lydia Mapstone.
BoobyBiome is developing two key products: a patented device compatible with infant milk storage bottles, which preserves the natural microbiome and nutrients in expressed breast milk, and a live microbiome drop containing beneficial bacteria isolated from human milk. The drop is designed to support babies who are formula-fed, born preterm, or delivered by c-section.
“In closing this gap, we also aim to reduce the stigma often faced by parents who, for many reasons, cannot breastfeed. This support will allow us to advance our research, bring our live microbiome drops closer to market, and deliver meaningful improvements to infant health worldwide” ~ COO, Dr Sioned Jones.
CTO, Dr Tara O’Driscoll said the team was motivated by “rising infant diseases linked to low breastfeeding rates and underdeveloped microbiomes” adding that the field remains “under-researched and under-funded.”
Empirical Ventures cofounder and GP Dr Ben Miles praised the founding team: “Lydia, Sioned, and Tara’s combined expertise makes them exceptionally well placed to transform infant health, and their work addresses a critical gap that has been overlooked for too long.”
With the new funding, BoobyBiome plans to launch its storage device through partnerships with global infant bottle companies, advance its microbiome drops toward commercialization, and expand its team as it prepares to scale internationally.
