Delta Dental of New Jersey invests in new drug to fight tooth decay
PARSIPPANY, N.J. — April 3, 2014 — Delta Dental of New Jersey has invested $5 million in C3 Jian, Inc. to support the company’s development of an antimicrobial drug that targets the bacteria responsible for tooth decay. It is one of several Delta Dental member companies and affiliated organizations that have made substantial investments in C3 Jian.
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C3 Jian, Inc. is a private company focused on developing proprietary drugs with a focus on improving oral healthcare. Its lead product, called C16G2, is a proprietary peptide-based antimicrobial drug specifically targeting Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium responsible for dental caries, or tooth decay. Under a U.S. FDA Investigational New Drug Application, the company recently began a Phase 2 Clinical Trial to study C16G2 formulated as a mouth rinse, as well as a gel, for both dental tray and toothbrush applications.
“Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, yet it’s nearly 100% preventable,” said Ronald Deblinger, D.M.D., chairman, Board of Trustees, Delta Dental of New Jersey. “This new treatment has the potential to help eradicate the disease and improve the oral health, and by connection the overall health, of people everywhere.”
“We view this as an investment in exciting research that could potentially stop tooth decay,” added Dennis G. Wilson, president and CEO, Delta Dental of New Jersey. “This advances our mission to promote oral health through preventive care and quality dental services.”
