Growth factors are naturally occurring chemicals which promote cell growth and skin repair, he says. The purified whey powder also contains other substances which boost the growth factor's healing powers.
Dr Belford says the world market potential for such a healing stimulant is enormous, perhaps as much as $10-20 billion. If the whey extract proves successful, he says, it will be the only substance of its kind in the world.
"There's nothing on the market which actually stimulates wound repair," he says.
However, Dr Belford emphasises that the extract still has to pass human clinical trials, and is unlikely to be commercially available before the end of the decade.
Dr Belford is now in the process of negotiating a clinical trial in Adelaide for the extracted whey powder. As part of the trial, the scientists plan to test whether the whey extract will speed the healing of patients with problem wounds such as diabetic ulcers, pressure sores and leg ulcers.
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Contact: Dr David Belford
David.Belford@dhn.csiro.au
61-8-8204-7077
CSIRO Australia
29-Jul-1997