News Release 26 November 2002
BLIS TECHNOLOGIES SIGNS KOREAN DEAL
Listed Biotechnology company BLIS Technologies has signed a commercial arrangement to have its BLIS K12 Throat Guard
sold in Korea.
BLIS Technologies created a world first earlier this year when it began selling throat guard lozenges that use
beneficial and natural occurring bacteria to help maintain throat health.
BLIS Technologies initial sales focus has been on the New Zealand and European markets but its latest venture with
Australian based company Astra Grace, which trades under the name of Lifecare Natural in Korea, is the company’s first
foray into Asia.
BLIS Technologies chief executive Kelvin Moffatt said the Korean agreement was a further opportunity to reinforce BLIS
Technologies’ mission of becoming a highly successful international company with a range of research based high quality,
biological products.
“This is our first push into the Asian market. With a population of 50 million, Korea is obviously an exciting market.
We also see a priority in establishing a presence in Japan and Taiwan. Then there is the massive Chinese market as well,
“Mr Moffatt said.
The Asian market generally is known for the willingness of its people to use health products to improve their personal
health and well being,” Mr Moffatt said.
Mr Moffatt said BLIS Technologies would essentially be providing finished product as Lifecare Natural was contracted to
provide registration, marketing, promotion and distribution in Korea.
BLIS K12 Throat Guard was only the beginning of a continuing rollout, which would see a host of products launched
internationally over the next few years.
“Over the last year our research team have worked very hard on development of a formulation suitable for hot Asian and
Mediterranean climates, and the success they have achieved now gives us access to these markets and which can be applied
across our future pipeline as well. This in house expertise on formulation of these types of products, offers further
competitive protection to our range, in addition to our strong patent position”
BLIS Technologies second product BLIS Bio RESTORE will be on the market in early 2003 with a tooth decay preventative
also in the pipeline.
BLIS Bio RESTORE works by restoring and maintaining beneficial oral and intestinal bacteria following a course of
antibiotics. BLIS Technologies chief executive Kelvin Moffatt said when antibiotics are prescribed, undesirable bugs as
well as good bacteria necessary for everyday well being, are killed. When beneficial bacteria are depleted following a
course of antibiotics, people are prone to antibiotic side effects. Using BLIS Bio RESTORE can help maintain health
after antibiotic use by restoring beneficial bacteria and helping support the body’s natural defences against the
overgrowth of undesirable micro-organisms
ENDS
ABOUT BLIS TECHNOLOGIES
BLIS Technologies was formed in June 2000 to pursue the commercialisation of BLIS (bacteriocin-like inhibitory
substances). In an unusual move for a new company, BLIS Technologies was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange less
than a year after it was set up. This encouraged sound investment and the company raised enough funding to support its
research and development programme for four years. The company has its own research laboratory based at Otago
University’s Centre for Innovation. The research team comprises among others: the University of Otago Professor of
Microbiology, Professor John Tagg; BLIS Technologies’ Director of Science, Dr Chris Chilcott; and Dr Cheung-Tak Hung
from Zenith Technology Corporation Limited.
Issued on behalf of BLIS Technologies by Sorensen Group.