TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Florida-based biopharmaceutical company Oragenics, Inc. (OTCBB: ORNI) (www.oragenics.com) has announced that its oral care probiotics for children and adults will be available in Australia and New Zealand through an exclusive agreement with Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API), owner of the Priceline pharmacy retail chain, and one of the leading service providers to the pharmacy industry.
This agreement brings Oragenics’ ProBiora3® oral care probiotics, patented in Australia and New Zealand, to the region through API’s $3.7 billion century-old organization. EvoraPlus is a revolutionary probiotic mint for adults that supports gum and tooth health, freshens breath gently and naturally whitens teeth. EvoraKids is formulated to address the dental needs specific to children ages 3 to 10.
This partnership will help Oragenics expedite its entry into the Australian and New Zealand markets and is expected to accelerate the registration process of the company’s oral care probiotics in these countries.
Australia’s oral health status has ranked second worst by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Dental caries is the second most costly diet-related disease in Australia, with an economic impact comparable with that of heart disease and diabetes, according to the Australian Health Minister’s Advisory council (AHMAC).
AHMAC estimates that more than $4 billion is spent annually on dental health services in Australia.
"Today's children, particularly in regional areas, have the same limited access to dental care that children 100 years ago might have experienced. In fact, according to the National Advisory Committee on Oral Health, the oral health status of Australian adults ranks second worst in the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development," explained Di Lawson, CEO of the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council.
“We are pleased to be working with Australian Pharmaceutical Industries, a company that has been dedicated to serving independent pharmacies throughout Australia and New Zealand since 1910,” said Gerry David, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Oragenics. “API’s reputation and experience in handling probiotics, coupled with their retail presence, will greatly benefit the launch of EvoraPlus and EvoraKids in these countries. The probiotics market in Australia and New Zealand is continuing to grow.”
About ProBiora3®
ProBiora3®, the active ingredient in Oragenics' probiotic products, naturally supports gum and tooth health while freshening breath and whitening teeth. ProBiora3 technology was developed by Oragenics' Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Hillman, D.M.D., Ph.D., during more than 25 years of research, which began at the Harvard-affiliated Forsyth Institute in Boston and continued at the University of Florida. This technology has only recently become available to the general public. ProBiora3 contains three strains of beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy microbial balance in the mouth. It is 100% natural and is made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility.
About Oragenics, Inc.
Oragenics is a biopharmaceutical research and development company focused primarily on oral health products and novel antibiotics. Within oral health, Oragenics is developing its pharmaceutical product candidate, SMaRT Replacement Therapy™, and also commercializing its oral probiotic product, ProBiora3. Within antibiotics, Oragenics is developing a pharmaceutical candidate, MU1140-S™ and intends to use its patented, novel organic chemistry platform to create additional antibiotics for therapeutic use.
About API
API is one of the leading service providers to the pharmacy industry in Australia and New Zealand, and today serves more than 4,000 independent pharmacies. The services include wholesale product delivery, retail services, marketing programs and business advisory services. API also owns and operates the Priceline retail store brand that is a leading health and beauty brand in Australia. The company has product manufacturing capabilities and it is a niche player in over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and toiletries, which supply the Australian and New Zealand markets. API is the leading franchisor in the pharmacy industry, with more than 150 Priceline Pharmacy stores, it provides the pharmacist franchisees a total retail model.
Safe Harbor Statement: Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release includes forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s 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 (i) the actual suitability of ProBiora3® for inclusion in other products, and (ii) our ability to successfully incorporate ProBiora3® into other products, as well as those set forth in our most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q, and other factors detailed from time to time in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We expressly disclaim any responsibility to update forward-looking statements.