New product opportunities with oral health benefits

Background:

At around 10% of the total health budget, oral health is a significant drain on Australia's health care system. Also, significant opportunity exists, for instance, in the mouthwash market, which includes ingredients (eg alcohol) that have been reported to compromise health, and could be replaced by milk-dereived components.

Dairy components that kill oral pathogens without compromising health provide an opportunity for the industry to increase margin and value. DA already has IP in this area that requires further development to attract commercialisation parties.

Project objective:

The overall objective is to develop high value oral health care opportunities based on milk components for development by the Australian dairy industry.

Short term - develop the commercial prospectivity of already identified milk components with possible oral health benefits.

Long term - develop a plan for further investment in this area.

Project scope:

Oral health is a significant health issue as well as marketing opportunity for high-value dairy components. DA has already invested in this area and further effort is required to assist commercialisation of the investment.

The 2011/12 budget reflects the focus to scope commercial uptake for current IP only, which includes directed research. Subsequent to the 2011/12 financial year the budget drops away to nothing in 2014/15 reflecting the hand over to indsutry. 

Outcomes/benefits:

Develop high margin product opportunities for dairy components in oral health.

Throughout 2011 DA will continue to garner commercial support for its currently developed oral health IP. This will be supported by further investment in research to underpin the benefits of the opportunity. If commercial interest in the IP is forthcoming then it is expected to negotiate uptake of that IP during 2012.

If no commercial interest can be attracted to the IP then a decision on ceasing support will be made. This is expected to occur in 2012. Following successful, or otherwise, uptake of the current IP the oral health area will be reviewed for further investment. 

More information:

For more information, contact Ian Mitchell, Dairy Australia Nutrition Bioscience Manager.