Aligo has granted a worldwide exclusive license for all applications to Ovensa Inc. to produce and commercialize trimethyl chitosan (TMC), a derivative of chitosan, a technology emanating from the University du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR).
TMC was developed by Professor Jonathan Gagnon, chemistry professor from the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Geography, UQAR.
He is a specialist in the purification, characterization and modification of polysaccharides from natural sources.
Ovensa Inc. is an Ontario-based biotechnology company specializing in the development of new bioactives and delivery technology platforms.
The TMC technology platform is based on a high value-added chitosan derivative with multiple properties for various applications.
Chitosan is principally a by-product of the exoskeleton of crustaceans but can also be obtained from non-animal sources and contains diverse properties.
Ovensa commercializes TMC as Triozan, whose properties allow, amongst other things, amplifying the penetration of active agents into the skin and through the mucous membranes of the human body.
It can potentially increase the efficacy of cosmetic, nutrition and pharmaceutical products.
In animals, Triozan has been shown to improve the potency of vaccines, as well as the assimilation of insulin through nasal and oral intake.
It can also potentiate a number of molecules with beneficial health properties.
“We believe in the potential of this technology coming from UQAR given the many proofs of concept for a variety of applications,” says Stéphane Gagné, president of Ovensa.
“This technological platform will allow us to establish numerous partnerships and we are already encouraged by the initial enthusiasm shown by cosmetics, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.”
“In Quebec, some 30,000 metric tons of marine products are processed by our plants annually, with more than half of the total residue being sent to municipal landfills resulting in considerable costs for both the municipalities and the businesses,” says confirms Priyum Koonjul, director, business development, Aligo Innovation.
“This technology allows us to valorize these waste products for a variety of different applications and we are very proud of this deal with Ovensa.”
