Dentistry startup Ostia to sell bacteria-fighting products
By Diane Peters
Five years ago, molecular microbiologist Abdelahhad (Aboud) Barbour started the hunt for an alternative to antibiotics — seeking a molecule that could fight infection in light of the rise of antimicrobial resistance.
The postdoctoral researcher was working in Faculty of Dentistry professor Michael Glogauer’s lab; the two founded the company Ostia Sciences together and created a library of microbes and a screening platform to find molecules with both antimicrobial properties and immune-supporting potential.
Just 18 months later, Barbour came across something that fit the bill. This seemingly quick discovery was backed by his two decades of microbiology and biochemistry training, along with Glogauer’s considerable experience in clinical care, immunology and entrepreneurship.
He was so surprised by what he found and he assumed it was a mistake.
“At first we thought we did something wrong,” he says. “I told Mike, ‘This shouldn’t be here.’” They sent the sample to a specialty lab in the U.S., which confirmed that Streptococcus salivarius SALI-10 produces the world's first phosphorylated lantibiotic, a lanthionine-containing antibiotic, known as Salivaricin 10. Naturally produced in the mouth, this molecule has extraordinary antimicrobial properties.
“We found that not only can it fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but it can diffuse into the oral biofilm and find pathogens, sparing the good bacteria. At the same time, it communicates with our immune cells to help clear pathogens,” he says. “It’s a symbiotic relationship between beneficial bacteria, their bioactive molecules and the immune system.”
The researchers published their findings in 2023. During the review process, a leading global authority on lantibiotics was impressed by the strength of the data.
Two years later, they followed up with evidence that the SALI-10 strain could be safely used as a probiotic.
Now, with Barbour as CEO and Glogauer — who is also dentist-in-chief at University Health Network — as chief scientific officer, along with eight employees, Ostia is set to go big.
The company is planning another financing round, expanding its team, establishing additional manufacturing partnerships, running three clinical trials and preparing to launch its first commercial SALI-10 products. The startup has already earned millions in grants and investments, and will soon make an impact on dental and whole-body health.
By the end of 2026, Ostia will release SALI-10 Fresh for online sales. This probiotic lozenge addresses the microbial causes of bad breath.
“We joke about it all the time, but it’s true. We’ve got this incredibly therapeutic molecule that has huge potential, but we’re probably going to have the most success on the cosmetic side,” says Glogauer.
Ostia is looking to wrap up a double-blind trial of SALI-10 Fresh by the end of the summer. It will then complete a submission to Health Canada’s Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate to support its path to market.
Meanwhile, the company will be completing a clinical trial with periodontist and Dentistry associate professor, teaching stream Michael Goldberg as principal investigator of a more potent lozenge called SALI-10 Protect. It is designed to address infection and inflammation of the gums.
Goldberg has high hopes for the outcomes of the trial. He runs a clinic for people with persistent periodontal disease who often need antibiotics to control their bacteria levels. “This could be a boon to this population,” he says. He likes that SALI-10 targets inflammation and infection, and isn’t just a shotgun approach, plus a lozenge classified as a natural product is easy for patients to accept and take, and can be combined with other treatments.
This clinical-grade product will be sold directly to dentists, ideally starting in 2027.
A third, even more powerful product called SALI-10 RadioShield will be tested with head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. The product will be evaluated at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in a multicentre trial led by Dentistry assistant professor Erin Watson, a dental oncologist, and Ali Hosni, a U of T associate professor and radiation oncologist.
“After radiation, patients' mouths go very dry, their microbiome changes and they’re very susceptible to periodontal disease and decay. And because the radiation damages the healing potential of the jaw, parts of the bone can die,” says Glogauer. “These patients can survive their cancer, but they can also lose part of their jaw.”
If SALI-10 RadioShield works as hoped, it’ll be sold to hospitals and oncologists, likely by 2029.
Glogauer says being located at the Faculty of Dentistry has made all the difference in creating translational science, as it offers the opportunity to work with like-minded collaborators, run clinical trials efficiently, and find access to startup supports. “The Faculty of Dentistry is open for business,” he says.
With many of Ostia’s staff working on research and development, there’s more afoot, too. That includes the discovery that sorbitol, which is commonly used in oral health products, actually makes SALI-10 more effective. Ostia is also working on a version of the molecule that could be developed to treat or prevent respiratory infections, including pneumonia.
The excitement among the founders of Ostia is palpable. Both self-described "science geeks" are thrilled that their company — which is positioning itself as a leader in preventative health innovation — is about to make an impact on consumers and patients.
“The benefits could be widespread,” says Goldberg. “I think these products could lead to a significant shift in how we manage our patients. And there’s so much potential for wider utilization.”
Top photos: Courtesy of Ostia Sciences