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Our biomarker research and underpinning technologies have commercially impacted upon the global R&D strategies of Unilever, Philips and Mars, realising new market areas for them, resulting in several million GBP invested in related R&D as well as "claim support" for products both in development and already available on shelves. Unilever have adopted biomarker outcomes as endpoints in clinical trials of new products, and Philips and Mars are developing with us saliva-based near-patient diagnostic tests for the human and small animal markets. We have also spun out two SME's: A) Oral Health Innovations (OHI) Ltd has developed online risk and disease analysis software for oral conditions, which was piloted, adopted and launched by Denplan, the UKs largest dental capitation plan operator (accessing 6500 dentists and 1.8 million patients), at the 2013 annual British Dental Association conference; and B) GFC Diagnostics makes SmokeScreen™ a non-invasive, sensitive and objective saliva test developed from our biomarker research at Birmingham University. Both technologies have already provided demonstrable social and commercial impact and given their uptake to date, will also deliver economic, environmental and health impacts.
Pioneering basic research into the role of oxygen free- radical damage and antioxidant micro-nutrient protection in human periodontal diseases by the Periodontal Research Group in Birmingham has led to the development and marketing of novel toothpaste formulations and new applications for other nutrient products in collaboration with global consumer healthcare companies. This work has changed thinking in the field and has had significant commercial impact in terms of changing business R&D and marketing strategies. Resultant technologies have demonstrated reductions in gingivitis and periodontitis with associated social, economic and health impacts. In addition, our research is enabling Triclosan, an antibacterial compound used widely in soaps, detergents, mouthwashes and toothpastes, to be replaced with more environmentally-friendly, natural and equally efficacious agents.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system autoimmune disease that is subject to relapses (flares) and remissions. Measuring disease activity in multiple systems, some of which may be worsening while others are improving, is a challenge in the management of patients with SLE and also in the conduct of clinical trials of new drugs for the treatment of SLE. The British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) disease activity index for measuring lupus was developed by Professors Paul Bacon and Caroline Gordon at the University of Birmingham and has been validated and implemented for clinical trials and routine clinical practice. The instrument is able to capture significant improvement or worsening in lupus disease activity on a system based approach, leading to improved management and treatment of patients. It is the preferred disease activity instrument for international SLE trials recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency, demonstrating impact on health and welfare and public policy and health services.
Industrial collaborators have achieved more efficient and cost-effective routes to market for their oral hygiene and wound healthcare products as a result of UWE in vitro biofilm models based on perfusion flow. These have been used to measure the products' efficacy.
These companies include GABA international, GlaxoSmithKline, Insense Ltd (now Archimed), and Healthcare International.
Healthcare International has developed an oral healthcare product following the use of the UWE models to identify which of several compounds were best suited for this; it has been sold and distributed by Boots International.
Practising dental professionals have been trained by UWE researchers, using insights gained from our research findings, in correct procedures to diagnose and treat breath malodour.
King's College London (KCL)-led research has both underpinned and helped to develop and test an International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and complementary International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS™). Now increasingly accepted and used worldwide, these assessment and management systems are important to clinicians and researchers in detecting, preventively managing and monitoring caries as well as in framing research investigations and evaluating outcomes. They are valuable tools for public health planning and assessing incidence and prevalence of caries (tooth decay), the most ubiquitous disease across the globe. Equally importantly, they now facilitate professional curricula and public education programmes.