Oragenics Betting on Dental Cavity Vaccine

Shares of Oragenics Inc (ONI) jumped more than 30% on Monday as the company released its third quarter numbers, and research update.

BHI's recent article on investing in the dental industry completely failed to mention Oragenics, even though its focus is exactly the kind of future technology that could give dental research a financial boost.

The little Florida biotech company is dedicated to researching and developing various antibody mediating therapies for human infections and other conditions, with primary focus on the oral cavity and periodontal tissues.

The company's most exciting product is MU1140, an oral antibiotic treatment that has the potential of immunizing humans against dental caries, commonly known as cavities.

The potential for such a treatment is tremendous. Imagine dental caries being eradicated much like polio, and other childhood conditions, through an immunization!

Oragenics also boasts an impressive lineup of research candidates, including mouth rinses shown to control many of the main disease causing bacterial species found in the human oral cavity.

While the company is small, having a market cap of less than $30 million, its potential is tempting for an investor seeking risky biotech plays.

ONI 1-yr chart:

Comments

[Travis Johnson:]

Now this is something I've never heard about before -- I don't know anything about this company, but as someone with awful dental problems I was thrilled to hear this. A vaccine against cavities and tooth decay would probably be squashed by dentists if they were given the opportunity, since it would destroy their livelihood, but I really hope they succeed in developing this. Hopefully they'd try to sell it through pediatricians instead of dental offices, and I wish them the best of luck.

2006 Nov 14 11:39 AM