As parts of its cooperation with BLIS Technologies, Frutarom will work with the New Zealand-based developer to market, store and distribute its K12 probiotic throughout the region. The probiotic is sold in powder form and is mainly designed for use in lozenges and other powdered products.
Jocelyn Mathern, Frutatom’s US technical health manager , said the move represented the company’s first foray into probiotics, by using the K12, which colonises bacteria in the oral cavity, in a bid to offer protection for the entire body.
Laurent Leduc, vice president for Frutatrom’s US health division, says that the patented product offers a unique development in preventing infections of the upper airways that can lead to sore throats, gum disease and even bad breath.
“This is a significant opportunity for us to expand our business around a product with both an exceptional safety profile and excellent record of clinical validation for its effectiveness in preventing many common infections of the upper airways and oral cavity,” he stated.
“This product is unique and with the patents around it, it will likely remain that way for a long time”
Blis K12
According to the manufacturer, the BLIS K12 has been specifically designed to offer protection to the entire oral cavity, from the throat and mouth to the gums. Some testing has also suggested protection against nasal sinus infections under certain conditions, the group says.
BLIS claims the K12 is an advanced probiotic that, unlike other similar organisms, can produce two different anti-microbial proteins known as bacteriocin when under threat from a potential pathogen.
Mathern says that these bacteriocin are able to fight off so called ‘bad’ bacteria like those that cause strep throat, ear infections and bad breath.
The developer says that it is production of those anti-microbial ensures the product can be more effective than traditional throat lozenge products.
Besides simply protecting the oral cavity from infection, Mathern says that much like with gut health, research has suggested that protecting the mouth may have body-wide benefits for consumers.
“Some of the main applications are preventing strep throat, tonsillitis, ear infections and enhancing the immune system,” she stated.
Development drive
With Frutarom handling the North American distribution for the company, BLIS Technologies says that it will be able to pursue further product development with its research partner, the New Zealand-based University of Otago.
Dr Barry Richardson, chief executive for Blis, said that its collaboration with Frutarom USA, would allow the group to further extend upon an existing research cooperation with Nestle Nutrition for commercial development of the probiotic.