BioDelivery Sciences International announced that its subsidiary, Bioral Nutrient Delivery (BND), has utilized its licensed and patented technology, Bioral Delivery, to formulate an Omega-3 fatty acid oil as a stable, dry powder known as Bioral Omega-3. To the best of the Company's knowledge, Bioral Omega-3 has demonstrated, for the first time, unprecedented shelf stability and an effective means for the addition of Omega-3 fatty acids for potential use in goods that are then baked or cooked, such as cakes, muffins, pasta noodles, soups and cookies. Other potential applications may include the use of Bioral Omega-3 by manufacturers of cereals, chips, and candy bars. In addition, the Company has added the Bioral Omega-3 formulation to beverages such as soy milk, milk, liquid yogurt, grapefruit and orange juice, smoothies, sports drinks, soft drinks, coffee, iced coffees, and other beverages, in each case without altering taste or odor. All the testing to date has been performed on a small scale and there can be no assurances that Bioral Omega-3 will scale and perform as well in a larger production setting.
The development of Bioral Omega-3 is part of a larger effort by BND to utilize the Company's licensed encochleation technology platform to enable BND to encapsulate or "wrap" a selected nutrients into a crystalline structure, termed a "cochleate" cylinder, for use in processed foods and beverages. BND was formed on January 8, 2003 for the purpose of exploiting this application of the Company's licensed technology. Effective April 1, 2003, the Company sub-licensed its encochleation technology to BND for this purpose. BND intends to identify food and beverage manufacturers as potential licensees of its sub-licensed technology who will apply the encochleating technology to their products.
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA and EPA, are widely recognized as health-promoting, polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids appear to promote good cardiovascular health, to suppress inflammation and to fight depression. In December, 2002, the FDA proposed to allow manufacturers to display health-promoting claims, such as those used in the supplement industry, in foods containing certain micronutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids. Natural sources of Omega-3 fatty acids include cold water fish. Typically, Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA and EPA acquire an unpleasant fishy odor and taste upon storage and especially upon exposure to heat. The Bioral Omega-3 formulation looks and feels like flour, but has no fishy odor or fishy taste. The Bioral Omega-3 powder has been tested in food products subjected to baking and to stove-top heating and it has demonstrated an ability to protect the Omega-3 fatty acids from degradation due to heat.
The Bioral delivery system is made from all natural ingredients: calcium and phosphatidylserine, a naturally occurring soy lipid that may reduce the risk of senile dementia or age-related cognitive decline.
BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. is a biotechnology company that is developing and seeking to commercialize a patented delivery technology designed for a potentially broad base of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, over-the-counter drugs, and nutraceuticals and, through its subsidiary, Bioral Nutrient Delivery, LLC, micronutrients in processed foods and beverages.