For Immediate Release
25 March 2011
BLIS Technologies finishes one research programme; starts another
Dunedin (New Zealand) based biotechnology company, BLIS Technologies Ltd (NZX: BLT) and Nestlé Nutrition, globally
managed business of Nestlé SA, have agreed to conclude their original multi-year research and development programme
focusing on BLIS K12 probiotics for use in infant nutrition products, which commenced in March 2007. Nestlé Nutrition
indicated that the clinical validation of the product concept, which it had originally proposed for the BLIS K12
probiotic, had proven to be difficult to establish under the conditions studied and so the commercial decision was made
to end this infant nutrition research programme. Since this study commenced a more robust BLIS K12 probiotic has become
commercially available.
A new multi-year R agreement, which effectively replaces the infant nutrition research programme has now commenced and includes a Nestle
option for rights over a specific application of the BLIS K12 probiotic. The exact nature of the current research and
option agreement between BLIS Technologies Ltd and Nestlé Nutrition is commercially sensitive and confidential
Scientific evidence suggests that the novel BLIS K12 probiotic – a naturally occurring and beneficial bacteria of the
mouth and throat has “built-in” defences against well-known disease causing bacteria and will potentially prevent future
infections of the upper airways. Normal probiotic bacteria lack these advanced cellular defences and attempt to simply
out-compete other bacteria for space and nutrients; but the ‘Advanced Probiotic Organisms’ of BLIS K12 have an
additional advantage of packing an anti-bacterial ‘punch’. According to the US National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases, it is estimated that 1 billion colds are suffered in the US every year, with adults averaging about
2 to 4 colds a year and women suffering more colds than men. It is also estimated that these symptoms can last from 1 to
2 weeks, which greatly affects annual productivity. The US market opportunity, for a novel probiotic that has the
potential reduce the impact and severity of upper airways infection and improve productivity, appears very promising.
About BLIS Technologies
BLIS Technologies was formed in June 2000 for the commercialisation of probiotics, which produce natural antibacterial
peptides or proteins that are able to kill or control the growth of other closely related bacteria. The first probiotic
that BLIS Technologies developed was an oral micro-organism called S. salivarius, “BLIS K12” which produces an
antibacterial protein named Salivaricin B. This specific probiotic helps to provide protection against infection from
Streptococcus pyogenes, which is the most common cause of bacterial sore throats (strep throat), and also the cause of
rarer but more serious illnesses such as scarlet fever and rheumatic fever.
ENDS
Source: BLIS Technologies Ltd (NZX:BLT)