Pandemic prompts focus on milk protein’s protective potential
AUCKLAND: Protection for cell surfaces against Covid19 and other viruses is the next research focus of a Hamilton biotechnology company after a study showed its branded milkderived ingredient is effective against influenza.
Cawthron Institute innovation award winner Quantec said independent US laboratory research had found its patented milkderived ingredient IDP (immune defence proteins) was effective against influenza virus species.
Quantec commissioned the in vitro — within glass — study to see if IDP had antiviral activity and if so, whether its formulation, which contains more than 50 bioactive proteins, provided greater antiviral activity than a singular protein.
Quantec founder Rod Claycomb said the antiviral activity of IDP was tested against two viral species, an influenza virus and a herpes simplex, and compared with purified (95%) lactoferrin, shown in many studies to have antiviral activity.
Testing found the antiviral activity of IDP was 120% more effective against the influenza A strain than lactoferrin, and similar in terms of its efficacy against the herpes simplex virus.
The next step would be to expand the types of viruses researched and clinical trials of IDP in influenza. Some results were possible in 12 months, Dr Claycomb said.
Lactoferrin would probably be used as the test control again and the research done in China, he said.
Quantec, founded in 2008, has developed, manufactured and commercialised IDP, which has been proven to have antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
It is exported as an active ingredient for functional skin care through the Epiology brand range, which uses IDP to prevent the spread of acnecausing bacteria, and as dietary supplements such as Milkamune for adults and children. IDP is also an ingredient in food and beverage products in the form of powder sachets, protein beverages and chewable tablets sold in China and other Asian markets.
Dr Claycomb said the pandemic sent Quantec’s scientists and IDP down the viral path.
‘‘Back in April when we were having to pivot, to use that overused word, we were talking about everything we were doing.
We were about milk proteins and there have been a lot of publications over the years about purified lactoferrin’s role in antiviral activity . . . so we thought, ‘let’s have a crack’.
‘‘We picked herpes and influenza as the first two off the rank simply because we thought by the time we got through the work, Covid wouldn’t be a thing anymore.’’
Quantec was eyeing IDP as a barrier against Covid19 — not as a vaccine.
‘‘These proteins exist in nature to protect the internal surface of the mammary gland of a cow from infection and inflammation. We are using them in exactly the same way on people — whether it’s on skin or the inside surface of your mouth, these exist to create a barrier on cellular surfaces.
‘‘The theory of the hypothesis back in April was ‘could it keep the virus from entering the cell?’.
‘‘We think this is pretty big. It’s the only thing we’ve seen in terms of dairy ingredients being used for antiviral activity. We’ve never seen lactoferrin products as a protection body against action like this.’’
Quantec has filed a patent on its latest discovery. Based at the Waikato Innovation Park at Ruakura, the company is owned by private investors, including Dr Claycomb and cofounder Judith Bragger. New Zealand Capital Growth Partners and Enterprise Angels of Tauranga are among shareholders. — The New Zealand Herald