BioMed X to collaborate with Johnson & Johnson on oral biofilm research

BioMed X Innovation Center have started a new research team, established through joint crowd sourcing efforts with Johnson & Johnson, as a continuum of their original collaboration facilitated by Johnson & Johnson Innovation in January this year, to focus on the development of novel methods for the disruption of oral biofilms.

This research group is seeking the potential to unravel novel methods to remove bacterial biofilms from oral surfaces. Oral biofilms consist of a large variety of microorganisms embedded in a complex and robust extracellular matrix.

Preventing gum disease

Attached to the tooth surface these biofilms can cause plaque, a predecessor of many periodontal diseases, such as gum disease and caries. Disrupting this matrix will prevent bacteria from nesting in the oral cavity.

Periodontol diseases

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60–90% of school children and nearly 100% of adults worldwide have periodontal diseases, often leading to pain and discomfort. About 5-10% of public health expenditure in high-income countries relates to curative dental care, a significant economic burden for the health care systems.

Using a worldwide crowdsourcing approach, BioMed X and Johnson & Johnson Innovation have jointly selected scientists from leading academic institutions around the globe to join the new research group within BioMed X’s open innovation lab.

Dr Balendu Avvaru has been appointed as the group, based on his outstanding track record in crystallography and microbiology at renowned research centres such as the German Cancer Research Center, CNRS in France and the Icahn School of Medicine in New York.

“During the last three years we have focused on a variety of different therapeutic areas together with our pharma partners. With this project we hope to demonstrate that our new innovation model also works in other market segments such as consumer care.”

Location

The research group is based at the BioMed X Innovation Center in Heidelberg, Germany, and will collaborate with research departments of Johnson & Johnson Consumer, in New Jersey, US.