BLIS Technologies broadens research on infants

New Zealand biotechnology company BLIS Technologies and Nestlé Nutrition, a unit of Nestlé SA, have agreed to broaden their research and development collaboration announced on 28 March 2007. The focus of the research and development continues to be upper respiratory tract infections in infants.

Upper respiratory tract infections are very common in infants and there are no effective methods of preventing or reducing the risk of these infections. The most common treatment today is the use of antibiotics and this is a leading cause for the growing issue of antibiotic resistance. Nestlé Nutrition and BLIS Technologies firmly believe that probiotics – beneficial bacteria which occur naturally in the upper respiratory tract and which have “built-in” defences against pathogenic or disease causing bacteria – offer an exciting option for the prevention upper respiratory tract infections. Nestlé Nutrition and BLIS Technologies will therefore broaden their research to include probiotics other than BLIS K12 which formed the basis of the initial agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, Nestlé Nutrition will fund a research program to be carried out by BLIS Technologies. BLIS Technologies will be responsible for screening for suitable probiotics in its collection. Nestlé Nutrition will be responsible for product formulation and clinical studies. Nestlé Nutrition will commercialise the probiotics under licence as part of its range of infant nutrition products.

For BLIS Technologies, this agreement is an additional major step and recognition for the progress made to date. If the project proceeds according to plan, Nestlé Nutrition will commit significant resources to this probiotic development over the next three years.

The collaboration with BLIS Technologies is part of the Nestlé Nutrition commitment to invest in cutting-edge science that can enable it to launch innovative products and services which provide consumers with clear and tangible benefits.

About BLIS Technologies
BLIS Technologies Ltd was formed in June 2000 to pursue the commercialisation of probiotics which produce natural antibacterial peptides or proteins (bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances), hence the company’s name, that are able to kill or control the growth of other closely related bacteria. The company was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange in July 2001. The company has acquired the rights to the collection of an extensive range of BLIS producing organisms and is developing and commercializing new products for use in the prevention and treatment of undesirable bacterial infections which includes prevention and control of tooth and gum disease, ear and throat infections, additionally BLIS Technologies Ltd is exploring applications in skin care, woman’s health and veterinary medicine.


About Nestle Nutrition
Nestlé Nutrition is an autonomous business within the Nestlé group which manages and develops the group's specialty nutrition brands. Through science-based nutrition products and services, Nestlé Nutrition helps enhance the quality of people’s lives by supporting health and providing care for specific consumer groups with special nutrition needs at every stage of life.

About 22 000 employees in more than 100 countries are part of Nestlé Nutrition. Its product portfolio – covering infant nutrition, healthcare nutrition, performance nutrition and weight management – includes such trusted and well-recognised brands as: NAN, GERBER, LACTOGEN, NESLAC, CERELAC, BOOST, NUTREN, PEPTAMEN, RESOURCE, OPTIFAST, POWERBAR, MUSASHI and JENNY CRAIG. More information at: www.nestlenutrition.com.

 

BLIS Technologies Ltd – RIGHTS ISSUE
The Directors of BLIS Technologies Ltd (NZX:BLT) wish to confirm further details of its proposed renounceable rights issue announced at the Company’s Annual General Meeting in August.
BLIS intends to raise up to $3 million before the end of this calendar year to:

• further expand the company’s activities in selected international markets
• strengthen BLIS’s current intellectual property position and file additional patent applications
• further improve its safety and efficacy data to assist with applications for regulatory approval in specific international markets;
• expand facilities within Dunedin to undertake increased commercial activity, including the option of small scale production activities;
• to establish a small pilot-scale facility to assist scale-up and further develop the company’s know-how and product development capability.

The Rights Issue will require the approval of shareholders. It is proposed that a notice of meeting containing full details of the issue will be sent to shareholders in mid October for a meeting in early November. Subject to shareholder approval the investment statement for the issue will be sent out immediately following the shareholder meeting. Rights trading is anticipated to commence shortly afterwards and run through to early December when the issue will close.