BLIS Technologies Applies To Patent Bacteria

News Release 1 March 2002

Blis Technologies Applies To Patent Beneficial Bacteria That Helps Prevent Tooth Decay

BLIS Technologies Limited today announced that it has applied for a provisional patent on a naturally occurring beneficial strain of the oral bacteria, Streptococcus salivarius, which produces an antibacterial peptide that helps protect people from tooth decay.

“Tooth decay is one of the most prevalent diseases in the modern world,” BLIS Technologies Chief Executive Kelvin Moffatt said. “As diets change it is becoming even more of an issue in many countries. Frequent snacking and foods high in sugar enable harmful bacteria to flourish and cause tooth decay.”

There is potentially a very large international market for a product based on naturally occurring beneficial bacteria that attack and limit the growth of the harmful bacteria, Streptococcus mutans. Streptococcus mutans are a principal cause of tooth decay.

“Our product is significantly different to other bacterial-based anti-tooth decay products that have been publicised recently. The other products are genetically modified, while ours is based on a naturally occurring strain of bacteria,” Mr Moffatt said.

The patent application is the result of groundbreaking work done by Professor John Tagg, BLIS Technologies Director of Science Dr Christopher Chilcott, and the BLIS research group based in Dunedin.

Their research into BLIS (bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances) has potential applications against a wide range of human and animal bacterial diseases.

The bacterial strain that helps prevent tooth decay is the second to be developed commercially by BLIS Technologies. The first was BLIS K12 Throat Guard, which assists in the maintenance of throat health by supporting the throat’s natural defences against undesirable bacteria.

BLIS K12 Throat Guard will be available shortly, in advance of the coming winter season.

This application for a provisional patent on prevention of tooth decay protects the company’s intellectual property position while final trial work is undertaken.

“We now have one year to complete further trial and development work for the final international application,” Mr Moffatt said.

BLIS Technologies owns the rights to an extensive range of BLIS producing organisms and intends developing more new products for use in the control of undesirable bacterial infections, including areas such as the prevention and treatment of ear infections, bovine mastitis and skin infections.

ENDS

Issued by Sorensen Group on behalf of BLIS Technologies Limited

© Scoop Media