Innovation from Dentistry: The Inside Story From Research to Patents, Licenses, and Royalty Income

Abstract

For patients who cannot take care of their own oral cavity themselves, the idea of controlling biofilms by using the factors involved in biofilm formation has led to industry-university collaboration. There are two major research studies, the first of which is the use of L8020 lactic acid bacteria. The oral cavity contains a resident flora called the oral flora. Like the intestinal flora, it contains lactic acid bacteria, so we have been conducting research on the application of probiotics to the oral cavity. In particular, we introduce research seeds using Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L8020 lactic acid bacteria), which exhibit high antibacterial effects against mutans streptococci, periodontal disease bacteria, and Candida species.

Secondly, to add antimicrobial properties to the surface of teeth and implants, we synthesized Etak, an antibacterial agent that has both an antiseptic part used for disinfecting the hands and so on, and a silane-based immobilization part. Etak makes it possible to easily perform antibacterial processing on materials that previously did not have antibacterial properties simply by spraying or immersing them. Etak also has an antiviral effect and is used for various purposes.

This paper introduces specific examples of industry-university collaborative research, such as patent acquisition and royalties for L8020 and Etak.