Intralytix: Investment allows us to expand phage production
The investment marks the start of a collaboration between the companies to develop and commercialize such items.
Intralytix product targeting Shigella recently received GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) recognition from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The company has three FDA/USDA approved products: ListShield, to reduce or eliminate Listeria monocytogenes in food; EcoShield, for E. coli O157:H7 in red meat intended for grinding and SalmoFresh for Salmonella in poultry, fish, shellfish and fresh and processed fruits and vegetables.
Alexander Sulakvelidze, EVP and chief scientific officer of Intralytix, said: “This investment solidifies Intralytix's position as the leader in the field of bacteriophage research and commercialization, and allows us to strengthen the company infrastructure by enhancing our already superb R&D programs, adding high throughput robotic technologies, and expanding our state-of-the-art phage production capabilities."
John Woloszyn, Intralytix's CEO, said: "Phage-based products, when properly formulated and manufactured, provide a safe, effective and all-natural way to help maintain healthy microbiota.
“We believe that our collaboration with Lesaffre will significantly enhance and expedite product development and will ultimately benefit hundreds of thousands of people worldwide."
Lesaffre designs, manufactures and markets products for baking, food taste, health care and biotechnology. It employs 9,500 people in more than 70 subsidiaries, in about 40 countries.
The investment is in line with the French family group’s expansion strategy in nutrition and health.
In 2015, Lesaffre invested in Gnosis, an Italian company specialized in ingredients for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic and veterinary industries.
Antoine Baule, Lesaffre's CEO, said it is looking forward to developing phage-based products and technologies.
"We believe that bacteriophage technology, mastered by Intralytix, offers an exciting platform for developing various antimicrobial products that will help reduce antibiotic resistance.”
