OTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 25, 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, announces an agreement with the National Institute of Animal Sciences for Vietnam to conduct a trial of OxC-beta as a non-antibiotic growth promoter for swine.
The trial will test the efficacy of OxC-beta to maintain and enhance the health and growth of pigs across their full post-wean growth cycle. The response to the addition of OxC-beta in the diet will be recorded via measurement of a series of health and commercial measures. Such measures will include, but not be limited to, weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, incidence of diarrhea and disease-related mortality.
The trial is entitled "Evaluation of OxC-beta as a Growth Promoting Health Supplement for Swine." Its testing of OxC-beta will include five study arms: three feeding-levels of OxC-beta, a negative control and a commercial antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) control. The trial was designed by Professor La Van Kinh of the National Institute of Animal Sciences for Vietnam, Professor William Riley of Jinan University of Guangzhou, China and Avivagen executives. The trial, which will be conducted by Professor Kinh at the Institute and is expected to be completed before the end of calendar 2014, is intended to support registrations for this usage.
Cameron Groome, CEO and President, commented on Avivagen's objectives with respect to this trial "Previously, OxC-beta was tested for a shorter dosing period in weaned piglets. While the results of that Canadian piglet study were very positive, they have not been reconfirmed by way of another study, nor have the benefits of OxC-beta been measured for older swine. This trial should accomplish both those goals, along with helping to establish the feeding levels that are most effective and economic."
Cameron also commented on other ongoing and planned studies of OxC-beta "This study is the first Avivagen-sponsored trial of OxC-beta to be conducted in 2014. While there are also multiple trials being designed and run directly by our prospective customers, it is the Avivagen-sponsored studies that will provide publishable results to support multiple national product registrations. Unlike Avivagen-sponsored trials, any positive results of customer-sponsored OxC-beta trials might not be reported other than by way of product sales."
As a country, Vietnam is the world's sixth-largest user of swine feed - estimated by Pig International magazine at 8.75 million metric tons of feed in 2012. In comparison, Canada ranks as number seven in 2012, using 7.36 million metric tons. Avivagen's pricing for the addition of OxC-beta to swine feed will be set in dollars per ton of feed and dependent on efficacy and the selected level of addition. Pricing of OxC-beta supplementation is expected to be competitive with other growth-promoting feed additives, including antibiotic and non-antibiotic options.
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 and study 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 and 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.
Forward Looking Statements
This document 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. Statements relating to expectations regarding access to new markets, new or increased revenue streams, Avivagen's ability to secure additional clinical trials and customer relationships and the results of such trials and relationships and Avivagen's intention to identify suitable technology license opportunities are all examples of forward-looking statements. 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's products may not gain market acceptance in new markets, new or expected revenue streams may not materialise in the near term or at all, Avivagen may not be able to secure clinical trials or new customer relationships and the results of such trials and relationships may not be favourable. Unless required by law, Avivagen Inc. 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.
For more information:
Avivagen Inc.
Cameron Groome
CEO & President
[email protected]
100 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0R6
Head Office Phone: 613-949-8164
Website: www.avivagen.com
SOURCE: Avivagen Inc.