HONG KONG – Biotech company Maz World Ltd. is working with the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (IMCB A*STAR) to use its ostrich antibody technology to neutralize the four serotypes of dengue viruses.

The production of ostrich antibodies against the four serotypes of dengue viruses (anti-DenV IgY, DenV1 to DenV4) was spearheaded by Yasuhiro Tsukamoto, of the Kyoto Prefectural University. Tsukamoto noted that ostriches were resistant and capable of surviving outbreaks of many bird-related diseases and theorized that this is due to their strong antibodies.

That hypothesis was where Maz World's ostrich antibody technology intellectual property was first hatched.

Genshi Shigekawa, the managing director for Maz World, told BioWorld that the technology involves injecting ostriches with specific antigens and harvesting the antibodies from their eggs. According to the company, the amount of antibody that can be extracted from one unfertilized ostrich egg is equivalent to 800 rabbits. Additionally, the antibodies are more resilient to high pH-level and remain active when exposed to heat up to 100 degrees Celsius.

The dengue-neutralizing effectiveness test, meanwhile, was spearheaded by Singapore's IMCB A*STAR.

"The process involves using plaque neutralization assay with baby hamster kidney cells, a cell line that is commonly used for dengue virus neutralization assay. The assay result shows that our antibody has 100 percent neutralization capabilities against all four strains of dengue viruses, where our antibody is most effective against dengue 1 serotype," said Shigekawa.

The immediate plan for the commercialization of the technology is to create a repellent for countries with cases of the mosquito-borne infectious disease, with Osaka-based Zeal Cosmetics Inc. roped in as the manufacturing partner to create such products. But Maz World has not ruled out the possibility of creating a line of pharmaceutical products to follow.

"Since we are not a pharmaceutical company, we are recently changing our strategy to focusing on daily preventive products so that the benefit of ostrich antibody can be contributed to the people at the fastest way," said Shigekawa. "For our dengue project, our first expectation is to be able to create a daily preventive product, such as repellant... We are planning to complete this in next six months."

Shigekawa also said the long-term goal is for the antibody and its further research to open up more opportunities on medical treatments, diagnostic purposes as well as vaccines.

According to Shigekawa, Maz World is now responsible for developing the product prototype and necessary R&D for its efficacy testing.

The company has been in Hong Kong since 2012 and moved to its current site at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) last year to focus more on R&D and commercialization activities. Being based there is expected to help the firm enter the lucrative mainland Chinese market.

Shigekawa quoted the financial dynamics in Hong Kong and the opportunity to access markets in mainland China, one of the biggest emerging markets in the world, as the advantages of coming to the city.

"The challenge we face is that the regulatory system in China is very different from those in the rest of the world," said Shigekawa. "However, as a tenant of HKSTP, all of the results of any research done here will be recognized by the Ministry of Health in China."

But he conceded that there is a lack of priority when it comes to dengue in the Chinese market. That is why Maz World is looking into applying the tech for other indications.

Shigekawa also said the company is jumpstarting various projects simultaneously in its pipeline.

"Influenza is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and there have been several outbreaks of avian influenza reported in China, including Hong Kong. So we believe there is a clear medical need in the region. Hence, our current priority in Hong Kong is to launch a flu mask product into the Chinese market," said Shigekawa.

Right now, Maz World is researching and developing products such as flu mask (using antibody against H1 to H7 flu virus) and diabetes/obesity preventive supplements (using antibody against amylase, lactase and lipase).

The company has already applied the ostrich antibody technology for anti-aging, eczema/atopic dermatitis and acne in skincare products.

"Currently, we are identifying strategic business and distribution partners in different markets that we look to operate in, including China," said Shigekawa.

He adds that they are trying to finalize with potential partners at the moment.