Complex coacervates of lactoferrin and osteopontin

Claims

1. A complex coacervate comprising lactoferrin and osteopontin for use in promoting the development, growth, strength and / or healing of bones in a subject or in the prevention and / or treatment of bone disease in a subject.

2. A complex coacervate for use according to claim 1, comprising protein in an amount of 5 to 50% w / w, preferably in an amount of 15 to 40% w / w, and more preferably in an amount of 25 to 35% w / w.

3. A complex coacervate for use according to claim 1 or 2, comprising water in an amount of 50 to 95% w / w, preferably in an amount of 60 to 85% w / w, and more preferably in an amount of 65 to 75% w / w.

4. A complex coacervate for use according to any preceding claim, having a diameter of at least 500 nm in its smallest dimension, preferably at least 600 nm in its smallest dimension, more preferably at least 700 nm in its smallest dimension, and even more preferably at least 900 nm in its smallest dimension.

5. A complex coacervate for use according to any preceding claim, having a zeta potential in the range of -15 to +15 mV, preferably in the range of -10 to +10 mV, and more preferably in the range of -8 to +5 mV.

6. A complex coacervate for use according to any preceding claim, wherein the complex coacervate is administered in the form of a composition.

7. A complex coacervate for use according to claim 6, wherein the composition is selected from the group consisting of food compositions, pet food compositions, beverages, nutritional mixtures, or nutraceuticals.

8. A complex coacervate for use according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the composition is an infant formula, a starter infant formula, a follow-on infant formula, baby food, a grain-based infant composition, an infant formula for children aged 1 to 3 years, a fortifier or a supplement.

9. A complex coacervate for use according to any preceding claim, wherein the complex coacervate is administered orally.

10. A complex coacervate for use according to any preceding claim, wherein the complex coacervate is administered at a dose of 100 to 10,000 mg / kg / day, preferably at a dose of 500 to 5,000 mg / kg / day, and more preferably at a dose of 1,000 to 2,000 mg / kg / day.

11. A complex coacervate for use according to any preceding claim, wherein the complex coacervate increases bone growth and / or bone strength, wherein preferably the complex coacervate increases one or more bone parameters selected from: trabecular bone volume to tissue volume ratio (BV / TV), bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), cortical bone volume (Ct.BV), mediolateral diameter, anteroposterior diameter, ultimate loading strength of bone, and bone stiffness.

12. A complex coacervate for use according to any preceding claim, wherein the bone disease is a metabolic bone disease, wherein preferably the bone disease is low bone density, osteopenia, osteoporosis, osteomalacia or rickets.

13. A complex coacervate for use according to any preceding claim, wherein the subject is a human adolescent, teenager, child or infant, preferably: (i) the subject was born preterm, or with low birth weight, or with intrauterine growth retardation; (ii) the subject suffered from growth retardation due to malnutrition or a history of a medical condition such as anorexia, Crohn's disease and / or celiac disease; and / or (iii) the subject suffered from growth retardation due to treatment with drugs that cause malabsorption, anorexia and / or metabolic bone disease.

14. A complex coacervate for use according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the subject is an adult human, wherein preferably the subject has one or more bone fractures.

15. A complex coacervate for use according to any preceding claim, wherein the subject is a human or the subject is an animal, preferably the subject is a human.