BLT - Blis Technologies

[Glendoonie]

Blis sounds like an interesting company. The part I'm not clear on is what exactly are they patenting? They can't patent a natural strain of bacteria so they must have some unique method of extraction or processing? If not, then the competitors can launch the same product, and if they have bigger pockets they can do better.

I tried looking at the NZ patent applications but I didn't understand what exactly was being patented. Does anyone know?

It's been quite a wee while since I did this sort of stuff, but I hope this helps. Publication no. WO/2005/007178 is what you need for a Google search. I have included a small description of the invention and a few claimx. There is a lot more to read

Pub. No.:

WO/2005/007178

International Application No.:

PCT/NZ2004/000153
Publication Date:
27.01.2005
International Filing Date:
19.07.2004

IPC:
A61K 33/20 (2006.01), A61K 35/74 (2006.01)
Applicants:
BLIS TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED [NZ/NZ]; Level 10 Otago House, Dunedin (NZ) (All Except US).
TAGG, John, Robert [AU/NZ]; (NZ) (US Only).
CHILCOTT, Christopher, Norman [NZ/NZ]; (NZ) (US Only).
BURTON, Jeremy, Paul [AU/NZ]; (NZ) (US Only).
Inventors:
TAGG, John, Robert; (NZ).
CHILCOTT, Christopher, Norman; (NZ).
BURTON, Jeremy, Paul; (NZ).


TREATMENT OF MALODOUR


FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to methods of inhibiting growth of anaerobic bacteria, particularly halitosis causing bacteria, and to the use of BLIS-producing Streptococcus salivarius strains, extracts thereof, and compositions containing same in the prevention or treatment of halitosis.

CLAIMS: 1. A method for at least inhibiting the growth of anaerobic bacteria sensitive to BLIS-producing S. salivarius, the method comprising contacting the sensitive bacteria with an inhibitory effective amount of a BLIS-producing S. salivarius, or an extract thereof, or a composition comprising said S. salivarius or extract thereof.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the anaerobic bacteria are in the oral cavity of an individual.

3. A method of prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of halitosis in an individual in need thereof, the method comprising administering to said individual a BLIS- producing S. salivarius, extract thereof, or composition comprising said S. salivarius or extract thereof, effective to at least inhibit growth of anaerobic bacteria, or in an amount to allow effective colonisation in the oral cavity of the individual by BLIS-producing S. salivarius.

4. A method of controlling the incidence and/or severity of halitosis, the method comprising introducing into the oral cavity of an individual susceptible to halitosis, an amount of a BLIS-producing S. salivarius, extract thereof, or composition comprising said S. salivarius or extract thereof, effective to control the incidence and/or severity of said halitosis.

[tango]

BLIS-producing Streptococcus salivarius strains, extracts thereof, and compositions containing same in the prevention or treatment of halitosis

Thanks Glendoonie

My patent law is rusty but I thought you couldn't patent naturally occurring substances i.e. the Streptococcus salivarius strains only the process or method of extraction. This patent seems to patent the strain and all the recipes or uses of it so that would be where they get their advantage - being the first to apply it to treating throat problems and bad breath.

[Glendoonie]

My patent law is rusty but I thought you couldn't patent naturally occurring substances i.e. the Streptococcus salivarius strains only the process or method of extraction. This patent seems to patent the strain and all the recipes or uses of it so that would be where they get their advantage - being the first to apply it to treating throat problems and bad breath.

You are quite right wrt patenting of naturally occurring substances. However, their claim 1 is directed in part to,
"A method for at least inhibiting the growth of anaerobic bacteria sensitive to BLIS-producing S. salivarius ...".
Now, that claim could be thrown out because it's a method of medical treatment, the patenting of which is a no-no, but who's to say what claims were actually accepted in what form patent protection was granted. We were told that's for the Courts to decide.

[neopoleII]

in laymans terms...........
the patent protects the decades of work invested in finding which ones of the millions of bugs in the human system is benifical to humans.
naturally occuring bugs, chemicals or emzymes cannot be patented, but the discovery of which ones are benifical can be patented.
otherwise ...... why spend cash and time working in a lab only to give away the discovery?
now some one can legally try to sythesis k12 and sell it legally........ but that is in the realms of bio enginering........ and that is still way beyond todays techology of splicing a few genes together to get a blue tomato.

[Chippie]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/n...ectid=10616171

Hopefully Barry is in Auckland today?

[simla]

Blis is already well ahead on the China front, Chippie. I found these on the Blis website, where you can check them for yourselves if anyone is interested:

• 2008 annual report - [In] China...[Blis] has developed a strong and willing commercial partnership, which will facilitate commercialisation upon regulatory approval.
  
• 2009 half year report - The Company has maintained good progress in developing relationships in Asia, especially China and Korea.
  
• March 2009, Special Meeting Shareholder Update - BLIS has signed distribution and marketing agreement in China for finished products with NZ Co. operating in China and partner, wholly owned by Provincial Govt. Seeking regulatory approval for BLIS K12. (It has taken two years to complete these projects)
  
• 2009 full year report - In China BLIS has signed a manufacturing and marketing agreement with NZPR Group and associated Chinese interests who are currently seeking regulatory approval for BLIS K12 in that market. The agreement with Frutarom excludes China.
  
• AGM Presentation July 2009 -  NZPR Group submitting New Resource approval in China.
  
• 2010 half year report - BLIS Technologies is also currently involved in regulatory submissions in China, Korea and other Asian markets.

I really don't know how Dunedin keeps track of all the projects they are working on!

[tango]

BLIS sounds exciting. If I had bad breath I'd buy the product and try it to see how well it works. Pity it doesn't work on dogs

[emearg]

BLIS sounds exciting. If I had bad breath I'd buy the product and try it to see how well it works. Pity it doesn't work on dogs

But Blis isn't just about bad breath you know? There are products that target bad breath, but there are also products that target general oral health, ear infections, tooth decay etc.

Check out a few of these links for a broader idea of how it is being used/marketed.

http://www.naturesplus.com/products/...&searchVar=k12
http://www.naturesplus.com/products/...&searchVar=m18
http://bioguardhealth.com/

Currently Blis are marketing K12 and M18. Q24 is in the works and is focused on topical applications. Hints around possible uses have been released by Blis include the treatment of acne. When/if it will be commercialised is anybodies guess, but none of us were expecting M18 (previously called MIA) to be released anytime soon, and yet it was unleashed on the world just a few months ago.

Chewing gum will be coming out next month in Canada that contains K12. Good overall health booster they reckon. What I reckon is when they start including M18 in it that will be quite something. Imagine a chewing gum that fights tooth decay. Kids will love it, and Mum will find it hard to say no as it will be good for the kiddies and not just fun for them to chew!

If you are on FaceBook check this out:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...d=177175893719

[Cannibal]

I posted the Facebook stuff a couple of days ago!!!

I like this as well - http://www.naturesplus.com/products/...uctNumber=1120

[emearg]

I posted the Facebook stuff a couple of days ago!!!

I know Cannibal! Actually I think we must have some of the same Google Alerts set up but you are far quicker than me to post following receiving one! I don't mind :-)

I like this as well - http://www.naturesplus.com/products/...uctNumber=1120

Considering there is only 2mg worth of probiotics in this product, of which K12 and M18 are just two of about a dozen, I don't know why they bother?!!?? They will need to sell alot of it for it to be a significant earner for Blis!

I note iHerb.com ship to NZ for as little as $4 for up to $80 US worth of goodies. I might have to place an order before next winter I think. I can't think of a good reason to keep buying the ThroatGuard when it only has a small number of K12 bacteria compared to most of the other products, and it is more expensive than some of them to! Any thoughts?