Blis Technologies

Blis Technologies Limited is a biotechnology company that manufactures advanced probiotics for the mouth and throat.

Company founder Professor John Tagg is credited with developing and commercialising the world’s first probiotic for the mouth and throat. Tagg’s research found that with the right balance of good bacteria, people enjoy better oral and throat health, as well as more pleasant breath.^[1]

Blis products have been sold globally, with sales expanding across Europe, Asia and Australasia in recent years.^[2] Headquartered in Dunedin, Blis Technologies are publicly listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange.

History

The shares were listed in July 2001 following an equity placement in May 2001 to a group of NZ institutions at 73c per share, raising $6m.

Blis Technologies Limited was formed to commercialise probiotic bacteria with bacteriocin activity. Professor Emeritus John Tagg of the Microbiology Department at the University of Otago in New Zealand gathered and extensively catalogued a collection of more than 2000 of these bacteria strains over a period of more than 30 years.

Blis Technologies commenced business in August 2000 when it acquired from the University of Otago, the rights to Salivaricin B, a substance which acts as a natural antibiotic to control streptococcal throat infections. Since that time, it has acquired the University's collection of several thousand bacteriocin-producing organisms. Probiotics for the oral cavity are unique in their action and as such the Blis range of probiotics are the world's first in this space.

The company listed on the Stock Exchange in 2001 and since entering the market has developed several consumer products under its own brand - including ThroatGuard, FreshBreath, TravelGuard, ToddlerProtect, HealthyTeeth - with more in development.

Blis Technologies has a significant distribution and marketing agreement with Pharmabroker Sales Ltd in New Zealand supplying finished product to pharmacies, as well as agreements with Stratum Nutrition distributing ingredients throughout North America, BlueStone Pharma distributing finished product and ingredient in Europe, and Tradepia distributing ingredient in Japan.

Markets continue to be opened up through regulatory approvals. During 2015 approval for substantial and specific claims was achieved in Canada for products containing BLIS (TM) K12 with the issuance of a US Food and Drug Administration 'Letter of No Objection'.

The underlying science behind Blis products is backed by more than 33 clinical trials.

Awards

2010 Frost and Sullivan - Global; Food and Beverage Ingredients; Entrepreneurial Company of the Year ^[3]

Recent Developments

As of 30 November 2011, Blis terminated its distribution agreement with Frutarom due to their inability to market their clinically proven products and sought a new distribution arrangement with Stratum Nutrition. As a result, United States sales raised from $682k to $976k for the half year and the company reported its biggest gainto date.^[4] Frutarom as a result has filed for bankruptcy and has fired their entire staff.

In 2011, Blis K12 received GRAS (generally recognised as safe) status from the United States Food and Drug Administration, enabling the probiotic to be used as a food additive.^[5]

References