There’s been lots of talk recently about Connecticut’s business climate. Governor Lamont is running for re-election in part on his economic record. Challenger Bob Stefanowski says it is broken.
At least one entrepreneur is betting on the state — or at least, the Fairfield County part of it.
Kaile Zagger
Kaile Zagger is a Southern California native. She came east to the University of Connecticut as a tennis recruit “decades ago” — and stayed.
A healthcare professional for over 20 years, she spent 12 years in Tribeca. Her move to the suburbs was made “kicking and screaming.”
The first town she lived in was “too stoic.” But Westport — where she moved 4 years ago — is “like a suburban Tribeca. It’s intelligent but casual, with diverse people. And it’s very artsy.”
Part of Zagger’swork involves finding businesses with novel technologies. A company launched out of the University of California-Davis’ Centers for Food & Science fit that bill.
Infinant Health — formerly known as Evolve Biosystems — is “committed to changing the trajectory of human health, one baby at a time.”
The founders discovered B. infantis EVC001, a natural bacterial strain pivotal to infant immune health.
Until now, the company says, B. infantis had been almost completely eradicated from infants in developed countries, due to unintended consequences of modern medicine such as feeding and birthing practices.
But they found that EVC001 — their specific strain of B. infantis — unlocks the critical function of Human Milk Oligosaccharides, to potentially benefit short- and long-term health.
The goal is to eradicate some of the most complex diseases that begin at infancy, including NEC, Type 1 diabetes, cognitive issues, the atopic march and food allergies.
Zagger is now CEO of Infinant. Investors include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Johnson & Johnson.
The founders will stay in California. But Zagger has moved the company to Norwalk. A 12,000-square foot recently renovated office next to Merritt 7 can house over 100 employees.
This area is rich in talent, she says. Experts in product development, regulatory issues, finance and marketing are all here.
The location, between the business world of New York and the high-tech hub of Boston is perfect. There is a wealth of untapped talent — including women — all around.
Westport and environs are “a special place,” Zagger says. “People land here because it’s great for their family. Some of them have taken side steps during COVID. They love biotech, but they don’t want to commute to New York.”
She looks forward to tapping into well-developed internship programs at local colleges and high school. “There are so many bright kids here who want to learn about science and infant health,” she says.
“We have a strong platform, a rich discovery pipeline, and big promise (and responsibility) ahead.”
Not to mention: dozens of new jobs, in a state that is always looking for them.
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