Oragenics, Inc. (Amex: ONI) announced today that the first of two sets of subjects has completed a clinical trial utilizing its proprietary oral probiotic product, Probiora3(TM). The trial was designed to determine safety and the effectiveness of the mouthrinse against baseline levels of disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. Daily mouth rinsing with Probiora3(TM) resulted in substantial reductions in the numbers of the bacterium, S. mutans, which attacks teeth, as well as two target periodontal strains, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Campylobacter rectus, associated with gum disease and bad breath. The product was well tolerated by the subjects and no safety issues were identified with the twice daily use of the product over a two-month period.
Dr. Jeffrey Hillman, Oragenics’ Chief Scientific Officer, stated, “Probiora3(TM) represents a breakthrough approach to maintaining oral health by utilizing cultures of bacteria commonly found in healthy mouths to provide a natural defense against those bacteria thought to be harmful to teeth and gums. Our proprietary blend of beneficial microorganisms should help to restore imbalances in the microflora of the mouth.” Dr. Robert Zahradnik, Oragenics’ president and CEO, added, “Our oral probiotic product has been designed to naturally maintain both dental and gingival health. The final group of subjects will complete the trial in four weeks. If the observed safety and effectiveness of the product are confirmed by the data from this second set of subjects, Probiora3(TM) could reach selected markets in the second half of 2007.”
Antibacterial mouthwashes constitute a $2 billion market worldwide. These rinses act by non-specifically reducing the levels of both friendly and harmful oral bacteria. In contrast, Probiora3(TM) was developed utilizing natural beneficial bacteria to promote a healthy balance of microorganisms in the mouth. In addition to the mouth rinse formula used in the clinical trial, Oragenics is pursuing other methods for delivery of the probiotic strains, including quick-dissolve tablets and chewing gum. Oragenics now plans to actively seek global or regional partners to co-develop and commercialize its groundbreaking oral care product, Probiora3(TM).
About Oragenics
Oragenics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company with a pipeline of proprietary technologies. The Company has a number of products in discovery, preclinical and clinical development, with a concentration in two main therapeutic areas: infectious disease and oncology. Oragenics’ core pipeline includes products for use in the treatment of dental and periodontal infectious diseases, systemic bacterial infections and obesity. In the discovery stage are three platform technologies for identifying biomarkers of infection, cancer and autoimmune diseases and for the solid state synthesis of bioactive peptides including small molecule antibiotics.
Safe Harbor Statement: Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release includes forward-looking statements that reflect Oragenics’ current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and information currently available. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project” and similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters identify forward- looking statements. Investors should be cautious in relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to those set forth in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-KSB and quarterly report on Form 10-QSB and other factors detailed from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We expressly disclaim any responsibility to update forward-looking statements.
Oragenics, Inc http://www.oragenics.com