Pseudopterosins are currently in use in some products, such as cosmetics, but they come from coral collected in the Bahamas, which means they can only be collected in limited amounts.
Kerr said the current collection method is sustainable but the process he developed could extract the chemicals in a way that’s more economically viable and have less of an impact on the environment.
“It’s a very real environmental development.”
Through the new licensing agreement Nautilus gets access to the bacteria and they still have to ferment it before they can extract the chemicals on a larger scale, he said.
“Nautilus still has some work to do.”
Kerr said both UPEI and Nautilus will benefit if the company is able to ferment the bacteria.
“We both have a stake in the development of this process that Nautilus is trying to achieve.”
Royalties from the license would be split between the university, the research team and Nautilus.
Although he couldn’t give a number for the licence’s dollar value, Kerr said its use in cosmetics alone could be worth millions and there may be other uses, such as in prescription or over the counter medication.
“There are a number of potential markets.”
rross@theguardian.pe.ca
