Ottawa, ON / ACCESSWIRE / Jul 18 2014 / - Avivagen Inc. (TSXV: VIV), a wellness company developing and delivering products that support and enhance the health and quality of life for animals and the people who care for them, today announced an agreement with Nam Sai Farms Co. Ltd. of the Kingdom of Thailand to conduct a trial to determine the effects of OxC-beta on the grow-out parameters of tilapia.
Tilapia are commercially-important aquaculture species, typically grown in fresh water ponds in warm climates. Approximately four million tons of tilapia are raised annually, mainly from China, Egypt, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Brazil. As a warm climate and fresh water fish, Tilapia can be affected by bacterial pathogens in the production ponds, with streptococcus infection being one of the most significant producer challenges. As with many bacterial pathogens that occur in food animals, streptococci are also a source of human disease.
The trial is entitled "Commercial investigation into the effects of OxC-beta dietary addition on performance of red tilapia grown out in cages." It will test the effects of two different levels of OxC-beta and a positive control product against a negative control on the grow-out parameters of tilapia raised in cages in an earthen reservoir. Five replicates of each treatment group will be conducted, for a total of 20 groups of 300 fish each. The grow-out period is expected to take approximately six months to complete, following which a final study report will be prepared.
This trial is intended to determine the efficacy of OxC-beta under commercial tilapia production conditions, measuring parameters of economic interest to producers. Parameters monitored will include growth, weight and feed conversion measurements, among other considerations.
The trial design was a collaborative effort between Nam Sai Farms, Avivagen's Asia-based consultants, its Thai distributor Natural Nutrients Co., Ltd. and Dr. Jamie Nickerson, Avivagen's Director of Product Validation and head of its Charlottetown-based biology research unit. The trial will be conducted in Prachunburi province of Thailand and is expected to be concluded during the first half of calendar 2015.
Cameron Groome, CEO and President, commented on this trial, "Avivagen-sponsored studies are important as they provide specific guidance to producers about how best to use OxC-beta. Such trials may also provide publishable results in support of national product registrations and species-specific marketing claims. This third new Avivagen-sponsored trial is in addition to trials designed and run by prospective commercial customers, some of which are ongoing and others that are in the planning stages. However, unlike Avivagen-sponsored trials, results of customer-sponsored OxC-beta trials may not be reported other than by way of resulting product sales."
About Avivagen Inc.
Avivagen Inc. is a publicly-listed life sciences company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol "VIV". The Company's goal is to develop and deliver scientifically-proven solutions that can truly benefit companion and production animals by employing natural mechanisms for maintaining good health. Avivagen's targeted markets include Livestock Productivity and Pet Wellness.
The company has sites located in partnership facilities of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) - in Ottawa, Ontario and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. More information can be found at www.avivagen.com.
About OxC-beta
Avivagen's proprietary and patent-protected technology is based on its discoveries concerning carotenoid antioxidants. The novel natural compounds discovered by Avivagen support the body's own systems to maintain and enhance health, particularly by supporting immune function. Avivagen's commercial-stage application of its technology is Fully-Oxidized beta-Carotene (OxC-beta). OxC-beta compounds occur naturally as carotenoid oxidation products in vegetation, but in minute amounts. They have been developed to support the health of companion animals and for use in the global food animal market.
Research results indicate OxC-beta supports innate immune function, which can help maintain good health. In pets, OxC-beta supports overall vitality and energy, mobility and joint function, skin, coat and gut. Results observed in food animals have included healthier growth, better utilization of feed and decreased mortality. In food animals, it is intended that use of OxC-beta avoids the feeding of antibiotics.
The commercial products of Avivagen are OxC-beta for livestock, Vivamune(TM) Health Chews and Oximunol(TM) Chewables.
About OxC-beta for Livestock
OxC-beta for Livestock is available as a 10% pre-mix sold in 1.0 or 5.0 Kg quantities for parts-per-million addition to animal feeds, in accordance with producer-developed protocols. In past studies, OxC-beta has been shown to support health or growth in species such as fish, chicken, pigs and cattle. OxC-beta for livestock is currently available for commercial sale in the Kingdom of Thailand.
About Vivamune(TM) Health Chews - For dogs and cats
Vivamune(TM) Health Chews, containing Avivagen's proprietary active ingredients, are scientifically-formulated chews for dogs and cats. Vivamune(TM) Health Chews work with a pet's own immune system to maintain overall health and well-being. They are sold in re-sealable packages of 30 chews and are currently available in the United States by ordering on-line at www.vivamunehealth.com.
About Oximunol(TM) Chewables - For dogs
Oximunol(TM) Chewables are scientifically-formulated chewable tablets that contain Avivagen's proprietary, patented active ingredient OxC-beta. OxC-beta has been shown to stimulate innate cellular immunity and may thereby help to maintain overall health and well-being. Oximunol(TM) Chewables are distributed by Bayer Healthcare LLC and are available through veterinarians for dogs of all ages in the United States.
Permanent Non-Surgical Sterilization of Female Mammals
Avivagen has optioned worldwide exclusive rights to a technology for the permanent and non-surgical sterilization of female mammals. A proof-of-concept trial in an indicative species will soon be started in order to demonstrate whether the technology appears to be safe and effective. It is expected that a patent application covering World Trade Organization countries will be pursued and that technological details will be made available when that patent application is published. Further information will be disclosed as deemed prudent or as required.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations, which involve risks and uncertainties associated with the business of Avivagen Inc. and the environment in which the business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions "anticipated", "believe", "could", "estimated", "expected", "if", "intended", "likely", "may", "plan", "possibly", "potentially", "should", "whether", "will", "would" and similar expressions. Statements about Avivagen's beliefs about the viability and potential future applications of the technologies described in this news release, including the results of the proposed tilapia study, the timing of the study, the timing of the receipt of the study results, whether the trial results in any publishable material or can support product registrations or species-specific claims, their commercial relevance, novelty and proposed uses, whether or not they are patentable, and whether or not they infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties and statements about their potential markets are all forward looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations of Avivagen Inc. regarding future results or events relating to its business generally and the specific subject matters of this news release. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Avivagen assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information:
Avivagen Inc.
Cameron Groome
CEO & President
Phone: 613-949-8164
www.avivagen.com
SOURCE: Avivagen Inc.