Main Business Activity - Production and supply of natural remedies and alternative anti-bacterial products

Project Outline - Researching the most effective combinations of the Allicin product in treating specific bacterial conditions and applying that knowledge to developing a product to prevent the 'super bug' MRSA spreading

Over the past nine years Norman and his business partners have done a lot to ensure that the powerful antibiotic properties of garlic is available in supermarkets. In fact their company now sells its products in powder and liquid form in 14 countries worldwide, through distributors in Europe, North America, South Africa and Australia. The product is now firmly in the ‘alternative remedy’ category, and has attracted interest from several pharmaceutical companies. However, Norman believes they have been put off by the fact that Allicin is a naturally occurring molecule, rather than a man-made compound whose commercial value they know how to protect with patents. “we’re allowed to sell Allicin,” says Norman “but we can’t make any claims for it”. 

The company sources it’s garlic from Spain and Mexico and extracts the active anti-bacterial ingredient Allicin, using their own patented process. Norman says, “we’ve received some fantastic testimonials from doctors and satisfied users all over the world”. Encouraged by the success of their product and the positive feedback they received, Norman and his partners decided to investigate whether it was possible to extend their product range. They wanted to develop innovative formulations of Allicin that would have a wider application and combat a wider range of bacterial conditions. 

Norman and his colleagues had previously worked with Dr. Ron Cutler, a microbiologist from the University of East London and believed that he could help them develop their products further. The Knowledgebase Collaboration Project gave Norman the opportunity to fund a programme of research for Ron and his team to carry out. Ron’s research included assessing which combinations of the product would work best for treating specific conditions like ear infections or fungal infections, like Candida albicans. They also looked into how effective the combinations were against so called ‘super bugs’ like MRSA, which have developed a high resistance against conventional antibiotic therapy. 

Norman is full of praise for his collaboration partner, “he worked late into the night to ensure we got all the answers we needed, he was fantastic”.

The research has been spectacularly successful in proving the effectiveness of Allicin and revealing which of its properties is most relevant to different bacteria. One of the breakthroughs the research enabled was a formulation for an Allicin containing gel, which is suitable for topical application in the treatment of streptococcal and Candida infections. Most excitingly though, a specialized formulation for an Allicin gel that is suitable for nasal use was discovered. This could help eliminate the most common source of transfer between patients of the MRSA ‘super bug’. 

The breakthroughs have given new impetus with an increased potential for high sales and stronger margins. Norman anticipates that a press campaign designed to boost interest in Allicin’s effectiveness against MRSA will help him raise the funds required to develop new commercial products and grow the business further. Norman’s confidence comes from his unshakeable belief in his product. “Allicin is nature’s molecule, it’s antibiotic and anti-fungal. It’s like a blunderbuss – it just blows them apart”.