Hamilton, New Zealand – Results from a clinical trial have highlighted the potential of Immune Defense Proteins (IDP®), a bioactive whey protein ingredient developed by Quantec Ltd, to support and potentially enhance immune responses to the influenza vaccination.
IDP® is a patented whey protein complex derived from pasture-fed cows, containing a natural complex of over 50 bioactive proteins. These proteins work in harmony to support the immune system, much like a well-coordinated defence force. Each bioactive plays a specific role, contributing to the complex's overall ability to support the body’s natural defences against inflammation, oxidative stress, and microbial challenges.
Conducted in partnership with leading New Zealand universities – Massey University and the University of Auckland - the double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial revealed that participants who supplemented with IDP® showed enhanced levels of influenza antibodies post-vaccination.
The Auckland-based trial involved 53 healthy adults aged 25–65 who consumed either a high dose of IDP® (200 mg), a standard dose (50 mg), or a placebo daily for eight weeks. Results showed that participants in the high-dose group experienced significantly higher levels of flu-specific antibody levels.
This discovery positions IDP® as a unique ingredient that bridges the worlds of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.
“IDP® has the potential to reshape how we think about immune health,” says John Dawson, CEO of Quantec. “As a natural ingredient, it’s exciting to see IDP® supporting medical treatments such as vaccines. This study provides an excellent example of the role milk bioactives can play in supporting and enhancing the body’s natural defences.”
The flu vaccine, while effective, offers varying levels of protection depending on age and other health factors. The clinical study showed that IDP®’s ability to enhance vaccine efficacy may be particularly valuable for at-risk groups, such as the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, who may experience lower antibody responses to vaccination and less protection from infection.
Quantec co-founder and Innovation Director, Dr. Rod Claycomb, added: “This clinical study reflects an important intersection between the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical worlds. Traditionally, these sectors operate in separate domains, but our findings suggest that natural bioactive ingredients like IDP® can complement medical approaches, providing a more holistic framework for supporting human health.”
Leveraging Bioactive Potential for Global Impact
Quantec’s exploration of IDP® as an immune-supporting ingredient began during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when viral infections were at the forefront of global concern. With laboratory access limited during New Zealand’s first lockdown in 2020, the Quantec team pivoted to focus on external collaborations and innovative research directions.
“We’ve been researching IDP® for over a decade, and the pandemic presented a unique opportunity to test its antiviral potential,” explains Dr. Claycomb. “With Lactoferrin - a well-known dairy protein already recognised for its antiviral activity - we wanted to see how IDP® compared. We partnered with an external laboratory in the United States to conduct in-vitro studies, and the results were promising. IDP® outperformed Lactoferrin in inhibiting several viruses, including influenza, on a gram-for-gram basis.”
These early findings laid the groundwork for Quantec’s focus on influenza, a persistent global health challenge that affects millions each year.
This in-vitro research spurred the next step: a human clinical trial designed to evaluate whether IDP®’s immune-enhancing potential could translate into real-world benefits.
“What’s unique about our approach is that we explored how a nutraceutical could enhance a pharmaceutical intervention—in this case, an influenza vaccine,” says Dr. Claycomb. “By supplementing with IDP®, we aimed to assess whether it could enhance the body’s immune response to vaccination. The results were statistically significant, showing that IDP® can support the production of flu-specific antibodies, which are key markers of effective immune protection.”
Expanding the Horizons of IDP®
Future research includes an upcoming trial in Shanghai, where IDP®’s immune-supporting properties will be clinically tested in preschool and primary school-aged children
“We see a tremendous opportunity to explore how IDP® can be used to address global health challenges,” adds Dr. Claycomb. “For instance, our upcoming research in Shanghai will evaluate IDP®’s ability to support immune resilience in children exposed to common infections in daycare environments. The clinical study will measure real-world outcomes, such as reduced symptoms and fewer missed school days.”
IDP®’s unique bioactive composition, with its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, positions it as a versatile ingredient for immune support.
“What makes IDP® so unique is the natural ratio of these bioactives,” explains Dr. Claycomb. “It’s designed by nature to provide comprehensive support to both the innate and adaptive immune systems. While our research has focused on understanding the individual and collective roles of these proteins, it’s their synergistic effect that makes IDP® such a powerful ingredient.”
Quantec remains committed to furthering its research, focusing on both the individual bioactives within IDP® and their combined impact on health.
“At Quantec, our mission is to deliver science-backed solutions that advance health and wellness globally,” says Dawson. “This study underscores our belief that nutraceuticals like IDP® can play a meaningful role alongside pharmaceuticals, opening new possibilities for how we approach immune health.”
To read the full article, visit: https://www.annexpublishers.com/articles/JIID/11102-Impact-of-IDP-on-Enhancing-Immune.pdf
