Oystershell NV
Encyclopedia
Oystershell NV is a Belgian commercial research institute that investigates and develops new medicinal products for over the counter
use.
, Belgium
. It was originally an importer of oyster
calcium carbonate
for laying hens from which it derives its name. In the 1980s it gradually evolved from this agricultural background to veterinary applications. Since a management buy-out in 2002 it is owned by the current management and the biotech investor Rudi Mariën
. Since that change, Oystershell has successfully focused on the research and development on healthcare products for third party licensers and distributors. It has no retail sales or any sales activities in OTC markets. Oystershell derives its income from long term contracts with pharmaceutical companies such as Schering Plough, Boehringer Ingelheim, Nycomed
Altana and Omega Pharma
.
and food supplements.
Oystershell is the owner of several technologies:
Over-the-counter drug
Over-the-counter drugs are medicines that may be sold directly to a consumer without a prescription from a healthcare professional, as compared to prescription drugs, which may be sold only to consumers possessing a valid prescription...
use.
History
Oystershell was founded in 1979 in FlandersFlanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. It was originally an importer of oyster
Oyster
The word oyster is used as a common name for a number of distinct groups of bivalve molluscs which live in marine or brackish habitats. The valves are highly calcified....
calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula CaCO3. It is a common substance found in rocks in all parts of the world, and is the main component of shells of marine organisms, snails, coal balls, pearls, and eggshells. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime,...
for laying hens from which it derives its name. In the 1980s it gradually evolved from this agricultural background to veterinary applications. Since a management buy-out in 2002 it is owned by the current management and the biotech investor Rudi Mariën
Rudi Mariën
Rudi Mariën is a Belgian scientist and businessman. He is Chairman of the Belgian biotech company Innogenetics.-Education:Rudi Mariën obtained a degree in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Ghent, and specialized in clinical biology.-Career:...
. Since that change, Oystershell has successfully focused on the research and development on healthcare products for third party licensers and distributors. It has no retail sales or any sales activities in OTC markets. Oystershell derives its income from long term contracts with pharmaceutical companies such as Schering Plough, Boehringer Ingelheim, Nycomed
Nycomed
Nycomed is a European pharmaceutical company. Nycomed is privately owned primarily by the two private equity investors Nordic Capital and CSFB Alternative Capital. Production is located in Norway, Denmark, Poland, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Estonia India, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. Head office...
Altana and Omega Pharma
Omega Pharma
Omega Pharma is a Belgian Pharmaceutical company, founded in 1987 by Marc Coucke and Yvan Vindevogel, both former Pharmacy students at the Ghent University.The company is quoted at Euronext Brussels and makes part of the BEL20 index.-Arseus:...
.
Products and Patents
The product innovation focus of the company lies with health products that do not require a drug statute and are sold in pharmacies: medical devices, biocides, cosmeticsCosmetics
Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...
and food supplements.
Oystershell is the owner of several technologies:
- RF2, a patented extract from vegetal origin that has dental anti-biofilmBiofilmA biofilm is an aggregate of microorganisms in which cells adhere to each other on a surface. These adherent cells are frequently embedded within a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substance...
activity at subinhibitory concentration (sub-MICMIC- Business and industry :* Military-industrial complex, the relationship between a nation's military forces and its arms industry* Miami Intermodal Center, a mega-transportation hub in Miami, Florida...
). This novel component is presently evaluated by several drug companies and incorporated in new generation oral care products.
- Foam for treatment of head lice (Mineral oil/dimethicone formulations)
- Several physically acting, polymer based solutions for wound care, burns, aphthae