Grow with Iris: Plant based infant formula

Case Study: De‑Risking the Development of a Plant‑Based, Allergy‑Safe infant formula

Client: Grow with Iris – UK‑based brand developing plant‑based, allergy‑safe nutrition for young children

The challenge

Grow with Iris set out to address a critical gap in early‑years nutrition: safe, nutritionally credible options for children aged 1–4 with food allergies, intolerances, or plant‑based diets.

As the business progressed, the ambition expanded towards exploring non‑animal protein sources for future infant and early‑years products, including the potential pathway toward the UK’s first plant‑based, allergy‑free infant formula.

This presented a complex challenge involving:

• Identification of suitable non‑animal protein sources
• Navigation of UK and EU regulatory authorisation requirements
• Delivery of a multi‑partner, grant‑funded Innovate UK project
• Ensuring outputs translated into clear, actionable next steps, not just academic insight

What SPG Innovation delivered

SPG Innovation acted as technical lead and project manager, integrating scientific, regulatory and commercial thinking throughout the programme.

Key elements included:

• Technical and commercial review of candidate non‑animal protein sources for early‑years use
• Development of a regulatory roadmap outlining authorisation requirements, data gaps and realistic timelines
• Full Innovate UK project management, including reporting and governance
• Coordination of multiple partners to ensure effective knowledge sharing
• Planning and delivery of a critical review workshop, bringing together industry experts to challenge assumptions and refine direction

Key outputs

• A structured assessment of non‑animal protein feasibility for infant and early‑years applications
• Clear identification of regulatory constraints and opportunities in the UK and EU
• A practical roadmap to inform future R&D and clinical planning
• A successfully delivered Innovate UK project, aligned to commercial decision‑making

Commercial impact

The project enabled Grow with Iris to:

• Make informed decisions about which innovation pathways were viable
• Reduce the risk of pursuing technically interesting but commercially or regulatorily unrealistic routes
• Engage confidently with regulators, funders and industry experts
• Build a defensible foundation for future product development in a highly regulated category

Rather than generating insight in isolation, the work translated into strategic clarity and momentum.

Why this matters

In early‑years nutrition, success depends on far more than formulation. Innovation must be underpinned by robust science, regulatory credibility and realistic execution plans.

This case study demonstrates how science‑led technical management, combined with practical project leadership, can de‑risk ambitious innovation and turn complex ideas into viable next steps.

“SPG are the whole package. They understand the complexities of innovation from both a scientific and practical perspective. Professional, hardworking, and patient, they have shown the ability to pivot as the project evolved.”
— Grow with Iris