JAT embarks on anti-viral food R&D

While companies rush to meet short-term opportunities opened up by the arrival of the Covid-19 coronavirus, China exporter Jatenergy has embarked on a R&D programme to develop food supplements with anti-viral properties.

The company, which exports a wide range of Australian products to China including milk-based foods, will work with researchers at the University of Sydney to screen compounds from milk-derived lactoferrin.

Lactoferrin has anti-microbial properties and it is hoped that these can be retained in supplements developed by the R&D project, which will run for one year.

JAT managing director Wilton Yao said: “We look forward to harnessing University of Sydney’s formidable research capabilities as we jointly research and develop foods of the future which could help to mitigate future viral outbreaks.”

JAT will pay the University $1.6 million to fund researchers from the faculty of engineering and the faculty of medicine and health.

JAT will own any intellectual property that emerges from the studies.

The company told investors: “Assuming the research is successful, JAT expects to own a range of compounds based on lactoferrin which will be an effective treatment of conditions including herpes simplex virus type 1, influenzas and norovirus.”

Picture: JAT/JAT’s Neurio lactoferrin range

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