French precision-fermentation startup Verley has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its cow-free whey proteins, paving the way for a commercial launch in 2026.
The green light comes as the Lyon-based company advances funding plans and prepares to expand regulatory filings beyond the United States.
The FDA issued a “no questions” letter confirming the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for Verley’s FermWhey Native and FermWhey MicroStab—two of its functional whey protein ingredients designed for dairy alternatives, sports nutrition, and high-protein drinks. The move positions Verley among a growing crop of biotech firms aiming to decouple global protein production from animal farming.
“The FDA process was thorough and collaborative,” said Verley’s co-founder and chief executive Stéphane Mac Millan. “Receiving approval within nine months is strong validation of our scientific dossier, the safety of our ingredients, and the robustness of our regulatory strategy.”
The company’s next regulatory step involves filing for FermWhey Gel, a spoonable protein variant tailored for dairy desserts and meal replacements.
Verley uses precision fermentation—a process long used in insulin and rennet production—to engineer microbes that express beta-lactoglobulin, the key protein that makes up about 65% of whey in cow’s milk. Once produced, the protein is purified and “functionalised” through a proprietary process to enhance texture, solubility, and stability in foods and beverages.
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“Our functionalisation process allows us to tailor proteins to perform beyond nutrition, solving formulation challenges in high-protein, clean-label products,” Mac Millan said.
Verley, formerly known as Bon Vivant, is targeting the alternative dairy and functional nutrition sectors. Its FermWhey Native boasts 95% purity and high leucine content to aid muscle recovery and satiety, while MicroStab offers exceptional heat and acid stability for high-protein drinks and low-fat recipes.
The company has already run several industrial pilot productions with global fermentation partners and intends to use contract manufacturing to maintain flexibility and reduce capital expenditure.
