Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2

Oral/dental diseases -- primarily caused by infection by bacterial and fungal pathogens -- have been shown to contribute significantly to development of a number of systemic diseases. Despite increased spending on oral health products over the past decade, and the public perception of high standards of dental care, the rates of periodontal disease/gingivitis and cavities remain extremely high (60%-90%) across all age groups in Canada, the USA and internationally. Aside from brushing, dental cleaning and the use of antimicrobial products, there are currently few options available for maintaining a healthy mouth. Probiotic therapies are based on the concept of friendly bacteria interfering and competing with pathogens for space and nutrition at various body sites to restore the natural microflora balance, thereby reducing inflammation, tissue damage and other negative effects. Probiotics are quickly becoming increasingly acceptable and popular with medical professionals for the treatment of numerous disorders including digestive tract ailments and ear, nose and throat infections. Integra Medical Inc. of London, ON focuses on developing novel probiotic products with scientifically and clinically proven health benefits. The company currently has two oral care probiotic products (LorodentTM and KariodentTM) undergoing clinical assessment and plans to launch new products over the next five years in several additional areas including urology and bone/joint health. Integra will work with Fanshawe College's Dr. Peter Cadieux, a leading expert in the probiotic field, alongside Fanshawe co-op students from the Science Laboratory Technology diploma program and Bachelor of Applied Technology (Biotechnology) degree program to conduct rigorous scientific analyses of samples obtained from multiple clinical trials in order to evaluate the efficacy of Lorodent and Kariodent to promote oral/dental health. The development and commercialization of these innovative oral/dental health products will establish Integra Medical Inc. as a leading provider of probiotic therapeutics and help improve the overall health of countless Canadians and others worldwide.