New Study: Ironic Biotech’s Protein Ingredient Shows Up to 65 Times Better Iron Absorption Than Other Iron Products

A new in vitro study from Swedish startup Ironic Biotech reveals that their patented iron protein shows up to 65 times better absorption than lactoferrin when combined with Vitamin C. It outperforms the best existing supplement ingredients by a factor of 10, offering a cost-efficient solution for premium supplement companies and new hope for 2 billion people suffering from anemia, especially women.

LUND, Sweden (September 17th, 2025) Swedish biotech startup Ironic Biotech has generated new findings in its latest study, analysing how its proprietary heme iron ingredient performs in comparison to other iron supplements. The in vitro study shows that Ironic Biotech’s patented iron protein delivers significantly better iron bioavailability than high-quality commercial lactoferrin, up to 65 times more when combined with ascorbic acid (vitamin C). It also outperforms iron sulfate and other common iron ingredients used in supplements, such as iron bisglycinate and ferritin with enhancers, by a factor higher than ten in the experiments.

Iron plays a crucial role in health by supporting oxygen transport, brain development, physical performance, and immune function. Its deficiency is increasingly linked to a wide range of conditions, from heart failure and pregnancy complications to ADHD, autism, and impaired motor skills in children.

Despite its importance, most iron ingredients in today’s supplements are poorly absorbed by the body. While people are recommended to consume 18mg of iron daily, they only need about 1mg if the iron is efficiently absorbed – a feat that lactoferrin or other supplements can’t do.

“These results truly set us apart from other iron ingredients. Our protein allows supplement and food companies to use smaller amounts of iron, without compromising on effectiveness and without altering the flavor of the product,” says Dr. Nélida Leiva Eriksson, founder and CEO of Ironic Biotech.

“Our ingredient is intended for use in supplements and fortified foods. In a standardized in-vitro Caco-2 model, milk fortified with 100 mg of Ironic’s iron-protein per 200 mL showed approximately 60% higher in-vitro iron uptake compared to the same milk without added iron. This result is just one of the many examples we have of how a modest amount of our protein can dramatically increase bioavailable iron. Imagine people taking our proteins as they are or adding them to their favorite meals, getting the energy they need with minimal effort. We are opening up many opportunities for people to get the iron they need without fuss or side effects.”

The US fertility rates dropped to an all-time low in 2024. Simultaneously, the fertility market is expected to grow to US$8.7B by 2033 due to the infertility issues across the country. Iron deficiency has a negative impact on fertility, and it can cause severe anemia during pregnancy if not properly treated before pregnancy. The study results are excellent news for the supplement industry as well as fertility clinics, which are trying their best to help customers absorb enough iron to either enhance their overall performance or battle pre- or post-pregnancy anemia.

When patients with severe iron deficiency anemia — including those undergoing fertility treatments, pregnant women, and others who cannot tolerate oral supplements — don't respond to standard iron pills, healthcare providers often resort to intravenous iron treatments.

These require clinical settings with specialized equipment and trained staff, with treatments taking 3-4 hours per session. The cost for one intravenous iron treatment can exceed $1,000, whereas Ironic Biotech's highly bioavailable iron supplement costs a fraction of that and could potentially help patients avoid these expensive interventions by addressing iron deficiency more effectively than when being at the supplement stage.

Ironic Biotech’s iron product has high absorption rates, is tasteless, has no side effects like stomach pain or nausea, comes from edible plants, and is a stable ingredient for companies related to supplement products,  functional and medical food, including probiotics and gummies.

“I am excited to see innovations like Ironic Biotech’s iron protein. The need for an effective, well-tolerated iron supplement has never been greater. Millions of people globally stand to benefit from better treatments,” says Leonard A. Valentino, MD, a hematologist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation in the U.S. Following a one million euro pre-seed round in spring 2024, Ironic Biotech is advancing its scale-up and regulatory preparation toward commercial supply, with initial applications in premium iron supplements and fortified foods. Early collaborations focus on intravenous iron clinics, women’s wellness, and periconception nutrition, as well as performance and everyday energy formats, where neutral taste and high iron uptake can support lower elemental iron loads.

“Our studies show that our iron product absorbs as well as iron from red meat, which is a problematic iron source for multiple reasons. We have seen significant progress in the past year, and these study results increase our confidence in our product’s commercial viability. As we move into the next phase, we are currently welcoming new strategic investors and partners to join our journey to help 2 billion people globally suffering from iron deficiency,” Eriksson concludes.

Founded in 2020, Ironic Biotech is endorsed by the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and has won grants from Vinnova and the Sten K Johnson Foundation. In the spring of 2025, the company won second place in the FoodTech World Cup by FoodHack.

Fact box: About the study

• Iron bioavailability was assessed using a two-step in vitro digestion protocol (simulating gastric and intestinal phases) followed by uptake measurement in Caco-2 human epithelial cell monolayers.
• The ingredient maintained structural stability and bioaccessibility when incorporated into food matrices such as orange juice, wheat bread, and plant-based dairy alternatives, without sensory alteration.
• When the IRONIC protein is combined with ascorbic acid (vitamin C), the bioavailability of iron increases up to 65 times higher compared to lactoferrin—even when lactoferrin was enhanced with the same additive. Further formulation studies with other common enhancers, such as folic acid and B12, are underway.

About Ironic Biotech

Ironic Biotech is a Swedish biotech startup that aims to help 2 billion people across the globe suffering from iron deficiency and anemia. Our patented iron protein is easy to absorb with no side effects, making it the perfect ingredient for supplement and food companies that want to add effective iron into their products.

At Ironic Biotech, we believe in science and human values. We use biotechnology to develop innovative and effective solutions for iron deficiency and other health issues. We are transparent about our methods and results, and we uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethics. We are also committed to gender equality and social responsibility, both within our company and in the communities we serve

Founded in Lund, Sweden, in 2020 by Dr. Nélida Leiva Eriksson, Ironic Biotech began with fundamental, path-finding experiments aimed at tackling iron deficiency. Today, the company is on a mission to empower women and eliminate the tiredness and fatigue caused by low iron levels. Ironic Biotech has been endorsed by the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and has received the Vinnova Innovative Startups grant and the Sten K Johnson Foundation award. In 2024, the company won the Impact Maker Award and was selected as a finalist in the Foodtech World Cup in 2025.