A probiotic strain developed by an Australian biotechnology group over a number of years has produced good results in early trials, its owner says.
Biome Australia has licensed a number of probiotic strains exclusively for use in its pills, which are sold under its name in pharmacies across the country.
But the listed biotechnology company also owns the intellectual property rights to BMB 18, a proprietary strain of L. plantarum, which is a probiotic commonly used for weight loss and to improve gut and mouth health.
Initial Petri dish testing shows “one of the strongest results we’ve seen, certainly in mechanistic data around immune support on inflammation,” founder and managing director Blair Vega Norfolk told an investor briefing on Friday.
A 240-participant clinical trial evaluating BMB 18 began in May at La Trobe University in Melbourne and Harokopio University in Athens, to generate the first data in humans of the strain’s efficacy.
“We’ll be expecting that we’ll be able to show some really material p-values and results within the next 12 months on gut health and also mental health,” Mr Norfolk said.
The hope is that Biome Australia will be able to add BMB 18 as a “hero” to some of its existing probiotic strains that are selling well, further protecting its intellectual property and brand.
“It will also create a very unique opportunity for us to do new product development into areas where we have no competition at all,” Mr Norfolk said.
The strain could also be licensed out to some of the world’s major probiotic manufacturers.
Biome Australia has a low-single-digit share of Australia’s $600 million probiotic market, with $12.4 million in sales in the first half.
Its brands are the leading probiotics in community pharmacies and No 2 in the Terry White Chemmart chain, the company says.
Last financial year, Biome Australia delivered its first net profit, of $214,656.
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