Rotalactis

The company

  • Spin-off of the National Research Council and the University of Torino; established in 2008, it operates in the area of neutraceuticals.
  • Rotalactis is developing a novel dietary ingredient/supplement derived from equine milk for the prevention of neonatal infections by the rotavirus. The product is considered as a “novel food” and would primarily be targeted at babies who are not breastfed and therefore cannot enjoy the natural protection provided by breast milk, but could also be used to enrich formula milk for growth.
  • One patent filed in 2010.

Current Status

  • Identification and isolation of lactadherin with anti-rotavirus activity from the proteins associated with the fat globules in equine (donkey) milk.
  • Complete amino-acid sequencing of the equine lactadherin protein has been accomplished
  • Peptides derived from equine lactadherin with anti-rotavirus activity have been identified and an in vitro evaluation of the anti-rotavirus activity of the lead compounds has been carried out.
  • In vivo evaluation of the anti-rotavirus activity of the lead compounds is ongoing.