Corran McLachlan

Dr Corran McLachlan (1 April 1944 – 9 August 2003)^[1] was a New Zealand based research scientist and entrepreneur. McLachlan is most remarkable for his work on epidemiological research surrounding the effects of the A1 beta-casein. He believed the existence of this protein in cows’ milk to be a public health issue contributing to both heart disease and type 1 diabetes. In February 2000 McLachlan and his business partner, Howard Paterson,^[2] established the A2 Corporation Limited (renamed The a2 Milk Company in April 2014^[3]) to market A2 cows’ milk, which was free from the A1 beta-casein.^[4]

Education

McLachlan attended his local primary school where he was one of two students in his class before attending Wairarapa College in Masterton from 1957 – 1961.^[5] It was here that he developed his interest in science, a discipline he continued to pursue. In 1962 McLachlan attended Canterbury University and graduated with a first class honors degree in Chemical Engineering. After graduating, McLachlan moved to England, to attend Cambridge University, where he completed a PhD thesis on the Reactions of Co2 in Alkaline Solutions under Professor de Danckwerts in 1969.^[6]

Career

In 1970 McLachlan returned to New Zealand and began working in the Chemistry division for the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR). In 1974 he won the first United Development Corporation Inventor’s Prize.^[7]

McLachlan first became involved in the dairy industry in 1989 when he became the managing director of Tenon Developments. In a joint venture with Morrisville Thames Cooperative Dairy Company, they developed a method of producing cholesterol-free butter and low-fat meats using extraction technology.^[5] He remained the managing director of Tenon Developments Ltd until his death.^[7]

While the research project was dropped by the New Zealand Dairy Group, McLachlan’s interest in the subject of cholesterol and heart disease remained. He spent five years investigating a potential connection between A1 beta casein protein consumption and heart disease.^[5]

In 2000 he formed A2 Corporation, backed by Howard Paterson to license technology for testing, production and use of milk containing only the A2 beta casein protein and no A1 protein (primarily which the BCM-7 peptide is a variant of) in cows' DNA.^[8]

Research

McLachlan began his research into milk consumption and heart disease prevalence in different countries in 1994 and continued this work for five years. His research concluded a strong link between the consumption of the A1 beta casein protein and Ischaemic heart disease, childhood Type 1 diabetes and other ailments. His conclusions were not accepted among all scientists; many pointed out that the research was ‘correlative, rather than proven cause and effect’.^[9]

Dr. Corran’s work showed that many who assume they have lactose intolerance, those sufferers were actually sensitive to the A1 protein instead. Utilising a genetic test, McLachlan was able to identify cows that produce only the A2 protein.^[10]

Honors

Dr McLachlan has authored 29 scientific papers and confidential reports and holds 11 patents. He was awarded the first United Development Corporation Inventors Prize in 1974.

• 1995, Dr McLachlan was made an honorary Senior Research Fellow of the School of Biological Sciences, Auckland University, in 1995.

Publications

PCT application for the manufacture of non-atherogenic β-casein A1 free milk and milk products PCT /NZ/ 96/00039 Food product and process. CNS McLachlan 9 May 1996 Β-casein A1, ischaemic heart disease mortality, and other illnesses. Medical Hypotheses 2001 56(2) 262-272

The a2 Milk Company now has multiple patents. McLachlan has filed various patents including: Drying, extracting with sub or supercritical gas^[11] and Milk and milk products for preventing or treating heart disease^[12]

Family

Corran McLachlan met a German au pair while he was studying at Cambridge University and they were married within seven months. McLachlan and his wife, Ulrike von Thielan had their first daughter, Julia, in 1969 before heading back to New Zealand. They went on to have two more children: Kate and Michael.^[8]

Death

Corran McLachlan died of cancer, surrounded by his family on Saturday 9 August, aged 59.^[13] At the time, acting chief executive Andrew Clarke said "This has been a double tragedy for A2" Clarke was referring to the deaths of both Paterson and McLachlan in close proximity of each other. McLachlan is survived by his wife, Ulrike, and their three children, Julia, Michael and Katherine.

References