OTTAWA, ONTARIO, June 25, 2013 - 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, announces its first commercial sale of OxC-beta for livestock, in Thailand.
Avivagen announces that OxC-beta is now commercially available in the Kingdom of Thailand and receipt of payment for its first commercial order. Avivagen believes that OxC-beta will be a valuable tool for producers in the aquaculture and livestock industries of that country and is pleased to make its novel and proprietary product available. Thailand has large aquaculture, poultry and pork industries that collectively produce approximately 3.4 million metric tons of such meats each year.
Dr. Janusz Daroszewski, Director, Product Development and Quality Assurance of Avivagen commented on the first sale of OxC-beta into Thailand. "We're pleased to make our exciting product available for producers across Thailand. As parties working with OxC-beta have discovered, it can be a valuable tool for enhancing and maintaining livestock health. We look forward to realizing the full sales potential of OxC-beta in Thailand and across Asia."
Cameron Groome, CEO and President of Avivagen also commented "We're delighted to have gained market access and obtained our first commercial order for the important market of Thailand. Today's news serves as validation of our strategy to secure present-day sales of OxC-beta by way of countries and market sectors that are welcoming to novel natural-product solutions to livestock health concerns."
Prior studies of OxC-beta have shown that parts-per-million dosing is associated with enhanced innate immunity and improvements to outcome measures such as Average Daily Gain, Feed Conversion Rates and Final Weight. Similar results have been observed across multiple food animal species, including fish, chickens, pigs and cattle. Avivagen is continuing work towards identifying optimal protocols for use of OxC-beta in several categories of food animals.
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 food animals by taking advantage of natural mechanisms for maintaining optimal health. Avivagen's targeted markets include Pet Wellness and Livestock Productivity.
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 supports 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 helps support immune function, which can result in meaningful overall health benefits. In pets, benefits are seen in overall vitality and energy, skin, coat and gastrointestinal wellness. Benefits 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 Oximunol(TM) Chewables and OxC-beta for livestock.
About Oximunol(TM) Chewables - "Optimized Health in a Chewable Tablet"
Oximunol(TM) Chewables is a scientifically-formulated chewable tablet that contains Avivagen's proprietary, patented active ingredient OxC-beta. Oximunol(TM) Chewables are currently available for dogs of all ages in the United States, working with a dog's own immune system to optimize overall health and well-being.
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 have health and growth benefits in species such as fish, chicken, pigs and cattle. OxC-beta for livestock is currently available for commercial sale in the Kingdom of Thailand.
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 "will", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations of Avivagen Inc. regarding future results or events. 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
c.groome@avivagen.com