Open Innovation Technical Need

Oral microbiome modulation for improved gum health

Category

Oral Health

Description

We are looking for new ingredients, raw materials, and technologies that can be incorporated into conventional oral care products, including toothpaste and ideally mouthwash, to beneficially modulate the oral microbiome and help prevent or reverse dysbiosis associated with gingivitis.

Background

Recent advances in sequencing technologies, systems biology, and computational modeling have significantly improved understanding of the oral microbiome. Under healthy conditions, the oral microbiome exists in a benign and balanced relationship with host tissues. However, shifts in this microbial community (dysbiosis) are a key aetiological factor underpinning gingivitis. If left unresolved, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, and result in tooth loss; furthermore, periodontitis has been associated with systemic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease.

Clearer differentiation between health-associated and disease-associated microbial communities is now possible, and research is beginning to elucidate the pathways that govern microbial balance and stability. While interest in microbiome modulation through everyday consumer products is increasing, most oral care approaches remain focused on broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity rather than selectively supporting beneficial microbial communities. This gap creates an opportunity to develop targeted strategies with the potential to guide the oral microbiome toward a healthier and more resilient state.

Key Success Criteria

Must-have Requirements

• Data proving efficacy in vitro or in vivo performance of the actives/technologies/formats
• Preliminary stability data or a scientifically justified rationale supporting expected stability under relevant storage conditions
• Safe and suitable for daily oral use, with safety and toxicity information provided, or a plan to generate it
• Cost-effective for inclusion in a daily-use consumer product (provide indicative cost/kg)
• Regulatory pathway identified, including applicable frameworks (e.g., cosmetic, OTC, MDR), with indication of GRAS status or equivalent where relevant

Preferred Requirements

• Suitable for formulation into oral care formats
• Compatible with conventional oral care product excipients and actives including fluoride, surfactants, flavors
• Acceptable taste and sensory attributes, with any negative aspects clearly identified
• Commercially available or expected to reach commercialization within 3-5 years
• Defined or hypothesized mechanism of action

Possible Approaches

• Prebiotics: ingredients comprising nutrients for beneficial oral microbes
• Postbiotics: ingredients comprising inactivated (typically pasteurized/heat killed) microorganisms and/or their products/metabolites

Approaches not of Interest

Engineered nanomaterials subject to regulatory restrictions

Preferred Collaboration

• Academic researchers
• Startups
• Suppliers
• Service Providers (CROs/CMOs)
• Consultants

Additional Information

Acceptable technology readiness levels (TRL): 3–9