BLT
18/04/2012 09:14
GENERAL
REL: 0914 HRS BLIS Technologies Limited
GENERAL: BLT: New Research extends the Benefit of BLIS K12.
From: BLIS Technologies Ltd (NZX:BLT)
MediaPak: NationalPak ;
New Research extends the Benefit of BLIS K12.
A recent study by Canadian and Japanese researchers shows new benefits for
the BLIS K12 probiotic. BLIS Technologies Ltd (NZX: BLT) has reported that
this new research, published in the international journal Applied and
Environmental Microbiology, further extends the broad therapeutic benefits of
its oral cavity probiotic, BLIS K12.
The international research group investigated the effectiveness of BLIS K12
in laboratory testing against the yeast organism responsible for the common
and painful oral infection, candidiasis or oral thrush, a condition which is
more frequent in children and older individuals. The researchers reported
that they were surprised however to find that BLIS K12 did not work in the
typical way that BLIS K12 normally protects the mouth and throat against
bacterial infection. Instead, they found that BLIS K12 prevented the
candidiasis-causing yeast from sticking to the throat and mouth and therefore
preventing the organism from colonising and causing a subsequent infection.
BLIS K12 has already been shown in laboratory testing to be more potent
against bacteria that cause throat infection and bad-breath than other
over-the-counter throat lozenges and now it adds the prevention of yeast
infection to that list.
"Other throat-care lozenges and medications might have a transient effect for
an hour or two, but the greatest advantage that BLIS K12 has over other
oral-care treatments is that it can colonise in the mouth and throat and that
means that it provides protection within the oral cavity, 24 hours a day."
According to BLIS Technologies' CEO, Dr Barry Richardson, "The fact that an
active population of the BLIS K12 probiotic can remain in the mouth and
colonise it, is very important for the overall effectiveness of the probiotic
because this provides round the clock protection against any invading or
opportunistic organisms. This means that BLIS K12 should prevent, as well as
treat candidiasis infection, however controlled clinical trials are required
to confirm this effect." Dr Richardson also commented, "The whole point of
providing a 24 hour probiotic defence barrier from infective agents, is that
one never knows when something is going to strike. While other products do
provide short-term anti-bacterial defence when you are using them, it is not
practical to suck a lozenge 24 hours a day".
Dr Richardson also indicated that BLIS Technologies, in association with its
distribution partner, Stratum Nutrition (USA), will formally launching BLIS
K12 in Europe at the major European ingredient show, VitaFoods in May. Prof
John Tagg (academic founder and consultant) has been invited to provide
updates on new research for BLIS K12 at an ENT (Ear Nose& Throat) medical
specialist's meeting in Moscow, as part of the market development activities
in Russia around the same time.
BLIS Technologies has nearly finalised its partnership agreement with Stratum
Nutrition to market the entire BLIS range of probiotic ingredients on a
global basis, with the exception of China and New Zealand. The initial
probiotic ingredients which are to be marketed by Stratum Nutrition include
BLIS K12 and BLIS M18. Marketing developments for all probiotic products are
expected to be extended to include relevant products for companion animals
such as cats and dogs, because this represents a signification component of
the business for Stratum's parent company; Novus International.
Stratum Nutrition (www.stratumnutrition.com) is a human nutrition company
based in St Louis, Missouri (USA). It is a subsidiary of a major
international animal health company, which was formed in 1991 as a "spinout"
company of what was then Monsanto's animal nutrition division and is now
called Novus International. This business has been operating for over 20
years, in 90 countries with an annual turnover of more than US$1 billion and
has a focus on animal health and human nutrition. Stratum has a small but
well-defined number of products, which are backed by the extensive scientific
resources and support infrastructure of Novus international.
YOUR CONTACT
Dr Barry Richardson (021) 664 742
BLIS Technologies Ltd
PO Box 56
87 St David Street
Dunedin
New Zealand
Phone +64 (3) 479 5337
End CA:00221935 For:BLT Type:GENERAL Time:2012-04-18 09:14:41
