BLIS TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED- AN OVERVIEW

BLIS Technologies Limited was formed to commercialize BLIS (Bacteriocin-Like Inhibitory Substances) producing probiotic bacteria. Professor John Tagg of the Microbiology department at the University of Otago gathered and extensively catalogued a collection of more than 2000 BLIS producing bacteria over period of more than 30 years.
BLIS Technologies Limited then acquired the rights to this unique collection of BLIS producing bacteria from the University of Otago in New Zealand and in July 2001, the company was listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange. In the time since its listing on the New Zealand Stock Exchange, the company has developed consumer products for throat health, halitosis (bad breath), complete body probiotic support for the body, and immune stimulation.

FROST & SULLIVAN AWARD

In 2010, BLIS Technologies Limited won the award by Frost & Sullivan; Global Entrepreneurial Company of the Year in Food and Beverage Ingredients 2010.  This was a solid endorsement of the revised business strategy the Company had adopted back in 2007 by moving from predominately being a branded retail product manufacturer to that of an international branded ingredient supplier.  This award helped established the credibility of the company on a global stage and in March 2011, the company was asked to be represented on an expert advisory forum on probiotics commercialisation strategy at the annual industry technical and commercial meeting, Nutracon in Anaheim, California alongside some of the world’s largest and most successful probiotic manufacturers.

MEMBERSHIP

BLIS Technologies Limited is a member of the International Probiotics Association.

DISTRIBUTION

The probiotic ingredient BLIS K12™ is distributed and marketed worldwide through a global marketing and distribution agreement with the international ingredient supplier, Stratum Nutrition Limited.

THE TEAM

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER:

Dr Barry Richardson (BSc, MSc, Ph D FNZIM, FNZIFST)

Overall responsibilities include sales, marketing and business development. Barry has a proven track record in commercialising new high technology products. His experience in international marketing and in the management of business operations includes commercialising technology driven businesses within the New Zealand Dairy Board, establishing Tatua Co-Op Dairy Co. as a highly profitable specialist company and in transforming Westland Milk Products from a dairy company marketing commodity products into an International Nutritional Company. His commercial experience means that he is able to assist BLIS Technologies to become an international player in the probiotics field. Barry is a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology. He was the recipient of the prestigious J C Andrews award in 2003 in Food Technology. 

FINANCE AND WEB DEVELOPMENT:

Mukesh Kumar (MBA(Distinction), B.Com, C.A)

Overall responsibilities include financial analysis, and principally leading the internet business development. Mukesh has an extensive track record in financial and operations management. Previous experience in the following sectors: Logistics (ports), infrastructure construction and management, council, and chartered accountancy (audit and advisory roles).

SCIENTISTS

FOUNDING SCIENTIST:

Professor John Tagg (BSc, MSc, PhD)

Dr John Tagg is the founding scientist of the company. He acts as a scientific consultant to the Company and has an important role in the direction of strategic research of the Company. John is an accomplished communicator.

Dr Tagg is a semi retired Professor of Microbiology at the University of Otago. He is a world recognised expert in the fields of streptococcal and bacteriocin research. He has over 30 years experience in microbiology and has a special interest in BLIS-producing organisms. Professor Tagg's personal passion to find a better answer to controlling Streptococcal infection was inspired by his own experience when as a teenager he contracted a Streptococcus pyogenes infection that lead to rheumatic fever and a need to be on a daily penicillin regime throughout his teenage years.

He is regularly invited to chair sessions and to present the findings of his group at national and international conferences in the fields of streptococcal and bacteriocin research. His high and sustained research productivity over 25 years is reflected in more than 115 publications and reviews in peer-reviewed journals.  Professor Tagg has been a regular member of the Health Research Council Biomedical Assessing Committee and has frequently reviewed contributions to microbiological journals, especially Applied and Environmental Microbiology of which, he is a member of the Editorial Board. Professor Tagg has been a Committee member, Treasurer, Vice-President and President of the New Zealand Microbiological Society.

SCIENTIST:

Dr Philip Wescombe B Sc (Hons), PhD

Dr Wescombe has been involved in the science behind BLIS Technologies Ltd since 1997 when he began his postgraduate studies with Professor Tagg at the University of Otago. During his PhD, he was involved in research that resulted in the salivaricin B patent - the cornerstone science behind the formation of BLIS Technologies Ltd. Since joining BLIS technologies in 2001 he has been involved in improving the stability of S. salivarius K12 formulations, carrying out clinical trials relating to the colonisation capability of K12, and investigating new organisms for their potential as probiotics to broaden the science base of BLIS Technologies Ltd.