Commercial Research: BLIS Technologies, New Zealand

BLIS Technologies was formed in June 2000 to pursue the commercialisation of BLIS (bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances). These are antibacterial peptides or proteins that are able to kill or control the growth of other closely related bacteria.

BLIS Technologies acquired from Otago University (Dunedin) of New Zealand, the extensive collection of BLIS producing organisms gathered by Microbiologist Professor John Tagg over a 20 year period. The Company has been conducting research focusing on those BLIS producing organisms which have the most immediate market potential. One such substance which the Company developed for a market launch, is from a strain of micro-organism called Streptococcus salivarius which produces an antibacterial protein named Salivaricin B. Salivaricin B is a naturally occurring BLIS and helps provide protection against infection by Streptococcus pyogenes. Streptococcus pyogenes 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.

The key to the development of these preventative treatments has been the ability to identify within the human population, those strains of naturally occurring flora that provide protection to the human host or body by producing a potent bacteriocin (BLIS), that in turn targets and kills specific harmful bacteria. Then to DNA sequence those strains and incorporate them in a stable product format and treatment regime that successfully colonises the desired strain in the human host or body. It is in these areas that Professor Tagg, his research team and BLIS Technologies have focused recent research and development efforts, leading to the international patent application on Streptococcus salivarius strains K12 and K30 and more recent patents in the area of dental caries prevention and ear infection prevention.

The Company has an extensive collection of BLIS producing organisms, providing a huge potential for the development of many new products for use in the control of undesirable bacterial infections.

The Company's research effort is overseen by Dr Chris Chilcott, with consultancy services provided by Professor John Tagg at the University of Otago.

Key areas of research include:

• Product support for existing products
• Use of BLIS Streptococcus salivarius K12 in yoghurt preparations
• Dental caries control
• Ear infections - clinical studies are underway with the Dunedin Hospital ENT Department on the use of a paediatric formulation of BLIS K12 for the prevention of chronic ear infections
• Tonsillitis - clinical studies are ongoing with the Dunedin Hospital ENT Department on the use of a paediatric formulation of BLIS K12 for the prevention of recurring tonsillitis infections.
• Skin infections (including acne) -a potential candidate organism displaying good in vitro properties has been identified and in addition to medical outcomes, the cosmetic uses of such products are promising.
• Peptides produced by these strains of BLIS producing organisms have promise as templates for the design of new antibiotics.

BLIS Technologies listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange on 30 July 2001.

For more information on BLIS Technologies, please vist the BLIS Technologies website.