Florida-based biopharmaceutical company Oragenics, Inc. (OTCBB: ORNI) (www.oragenics.com) announced today the issuance of patent number 7931892 from the United States Patent and Trademark office for ProBiora3®, a proprietary blend of naturally occurring oral bacteria shown to produce a wide range of oral care benefits. ProBiora3 contains three strains of beneficial oral bacteria that help maintain a healthy microbial balance in the mouth. It is 100% natural and is made in the USA in an FDA-registered and GMP-certified facility.
Issuance of the patent enables Oragenics to immediately pursue global private label and licensing opportunities in major product categories such as food and beverage, health and wellness, pet care and nutrition. The market size of these channels collectively exceeds $170 billion. Product suppliers in these categories, ranging from those with well established brands to newer market entrants, will be able to achieve newfound product differentiation with ProBiora3, as its beneficial characteristics provide a meaningful value added benefit to consumers.
ProBiora3 technology was developed by Oragenics' Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Jeffrey Hillman D.M.D., Ph.D., during more than 25 year of research, which began at the Harvard affiliated Forsyth Institute in Boston and was fully developed at Oragenics. This technology is currently available in Oragenics' line of probiotic products for oral care for the entire family including EvoraPro®, EvoraPlus®, EvoraKids®, EvoraPet™ and Teddy's Pride™.
"The concept behind ProBiora3 takes advantage of the observation that not all bacteria are bad," said Dr. Hillman. "In a complex environment like the mouth, we predicted that we would find certain types of bacteria that are associated with healthy teeth and gums. Finding these bacteria and using them to create ProBiora3 is the first of several innovative technologies discovered from oral biology, which Oragenics plans to bring to the marketplace."
Probiora3 has the potential to be a beneficial ingredient for a wide range of product categories and applications. Oral care products such as toothpaste, rinses and floss are obvious examples, but many products that are consumed orally have the potential to deliver the benefits of ProBiora3 to consumers. The emerging functional foods and beverage category provides a significant opportunity for the integration of ProBiora3. Consumers of yogurt, for instance, are aware of the beneficial effects of probiotics for digestion and immune health. New opportunities in wellness categories such as nutritional supplements, where consumers are receptive to products containing new ingredients (particularly those that are science-based, such as ProBiora3), present potential partnerships with recognized brands globally.
ProBiora3 also has the potential to have a major impact on the pet care industry. Oral care issues such as bad breath and stained teeth are among the most prevalent problems pet owners face. ProBiora3 addresses these issues and can be used as an ingredient in foods, treats and products with diverse delivery systems.
"ProBiora3 has the potential to be a real game-changer for the consumer packaged goods industry as consumers are becoming increasingly familiar with probiotic products and their health benefits," said Gerry David, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Oragenics. "As awareness grows further, we believe suppliers who incorporate ProBiora3 into new and existing product formulations will gain a meaningful competitive advantage with ProBiora3 serving as a powerful differentiating factor."
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