Quantec founder Rod Claycomb (left) and chairman John Birch. Photo / Alan Gibson
Quantec founder Rod Claycomb (left) and chairman John Birch. Photo / Alan Gibson
Protection for cell surfaces against Covid-19 and other viruses is the next research focus of a Hamilton biotechnology company after a study showed its branded milk-derived ingredient is effective against influenza.
Cawthron Institute innovation award winner Quantec said independent US laboratory research has found that its patented milk-derived ingredient IDP(Immune Defense Proteins) is effective against influenza virus species.
Quantec commissioned the in vitro study - within glass - 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 Dr Rod Claycomb said the antiviral activity of IDP was tested against two viral species, an influenza virus and a herpes simplex, and compared against purified (95 per cent) lactoferrin, shown in many studies to have antiviral activity.
Testing found the antiviral activity of IDP was 120 per cent more effective against the influenza A strain than lactoferrin, and similar in terms of its efficacy against the herpes simplex virus.
Next step will be to expand the types of viruses researched and clinical trials of IDP in influenza. Some results are possible in 12 months, he said. Lactoferrin would probably be used as the test control again and the research done in China, Claycomb said.
Quantec, founded in 2008, has developed, manufactured and commercialised IDP, which has been proven to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties.
It is exported as an active ingredient for functional skincare through the Epiology-brand range, which uses IDP to prevent the spread of acne-causing 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.
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 over-used 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 though 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 is eyeing IDP as a barrier against Covid-19 - 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 Claycombe and co-founder Judith Bragger. New Zealand Capital Growth Partners and Enterprise Angels of Tauranga are among shareholders.
Quantec has an "aggressive" growth strategy for the next four years, Claycomb said.
Quantec calls Waikato Innovation Park home. Photo / Supplied
It hired its first chief executive 18 months ago and is in process of employing a full timer in China.
Claycomb declined to give Quantec's annual revenue but said it had doubled year on year in the past three years.
While it has been building up its Hamilton team, it was unlikely ever to have a big staff, as part of its culture was to partner with other companies, particularly New Zealand entities, he said.
"A key part of our approach to grow Quantec is to work with strategic partners in key markets - our 20 year agreement with China-based Holon, a significant player in the Chinese supplement market with their brand Laitap, is an example ..."
The prize for Quantec's four year growth strategy was to get to a position where it could diversify with its R&D technology.
"We want to be able to build the business as a natural health products ingredients business beyond milk proteins.
"Our core expertise is milk and always has been. There are a lot of things still to discover about milk. But we're pretty open-minded. We live in a great country for natural health resources."
Quantec is not planning a capital raise to fund its growth. Its last capital raising was in 2016.
"We're in a good space - paying our own way."
Claycomb said sales this year had hit a few Covid bumps, especially in Latin America, an important market for its skincare range, but the company was at a "pretty exciting" stage.
An online sales channel was launched in China, just before Covid-19 struck.
"If we were going to look for some investment in the near future it would probably be in the epidemiology space. It's a finished brand (Epiology) and it's taken on a life of its own as a skincare range."
The brand was first launched in New Zealand through the pharmacy channel before being taken international through professional partnerships, and now available online in China.
"Keeping New Zealand-focused is top of mind. We'll probably stick to human and animal health applications.
"We love that NZ Inc. story, I think it's pretty valuable."
