BioDelivery explores processing
initiated a collaboration with a national manufacturer of processed
foods to determine if its patented Bioral nanotechnology improves
the delivery of micronutrients as supplements in processed foods.
BioDelivery Sciences International has announced that it has initiated a collaboration with a national manufacturer of processed foods to determine if its patented Bioral nanotechnology improves the delivery of micronutrients as supplements in processed foods.
Historically, the company has focused and continues to focus its development efforts on applications of its technology to pharmaceuticals and vaccines. The company now believes that other, non-prescription, more immediate, commercial applications of its technology may be possible. BioDelivery Sciences' patented delivery vehicle is a naturally occurring lipid (phosphatidylserine) that can be obtained inexpensively from soy.
BioDelivery and the unnamed food processor are studying the use of the nanotechnology to improve delivery of fragile micronutrients such as antioxidants. Naturally occurring antioxidants in raw fruits and vegetables are thought to provide significant health benefits, such as reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
In the processed food industry, attempts to add antioxidants as a supplement to human and pet foods have been frustrated by the susceptibility of antioxidants to degradation during manufacturing and storage. BioDelivery Sciences has research to suggest that its nanotechnology can protect antioxidants from degradation during manufacture and storage. Initially, BioDelivery Sciences is collaborating in a feasibility study to determine the ability of its Bioral cochleate technology to deliver micronutrients in processed foods for pets.
BDSI has not yet entered into any royalty or license agreements with regards to this potential market opportunity. Depending upon the results of this feasibility study in pets, BioDelivery Sciences intends to market the nanotechnology in the processed food industry since there are numerous processed food manufacturers in the domestic and international markets. Besides antioxidants, there are other micronutrients that may benefit from nano-encochleation such as Omega-3 fatty acids.
