Partner Opportunity in Collaborative Research & Development: Probiotics project - 25/05/2012 00:00
Collaborative R&D: Probiotics Project
Probiotic organisms are live microorganisms thought to be beneficial to the host organism. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria are the most common types of microbes used as probiotics; but certain yeasts and bacilli may also be used. Probiotics are commonly consumed as part of fermented foods with specially added active live cultures; such as in yogurt, soy yogurt, or as dietary supplements.
The Project
This project aims to develop novel probiotic food ingredients and a device that can measure the efficacy of probiotics. The European Food Safety Authority has questioned the validity of on-pack claims for probiotic products due to a lack of scientific evidence – the project aims to address this. The project consortium includes a university who is developing and testing the device via clinical trials, an analytical company who will develop the methods to test the device, a product development company who will develop food ingredients and commercialise the device and a Probiotic company.
Our need
This consortium is looking for a partner who can add value to this project via the production of food product(s) which contain probiotics for testing via the developed device. The potential partner would have an interest in developing a probiotic food product. They would be expected to help develop the food ingredients, ensuring that all components were suitable for their food products and then run some factory/pilot scale trials to produce the food products to go into clinical trials. The project would be suitable for a range of products and clarification can be provided to interested companies.
The Partner benefit
This is a match funded project which will involve an ‘in–kind’ contribution from the industrial partner of £50k in return for a small grant to the partner of £5k. The probiotic ingredient that the university produces would be developed in the food product, there would be access to a novel ingredient and proof of the efficacy of the ingredient, which will help with marketing the finished product. In the event of one partner not being able to contribute the £50k in-kind match, we would consider working with more than one company to achieve our objectives.
Timescale
This need has arisen because a previous partner can no longer participate due to internal company changes. We therefore have a short timeline on this project and so would appreciate very quick responses.
If you are interested, please contact:
jo.murphy@foodanddrink-inet.org.uk
