Ottawa, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 31, 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 Chonbuk National University of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) to conduct a trial of OxC-beta for the prevention of a commercially important poultry disease.
The trial will test the efficacy of OxC-beta for the prevention of morbidity and mortality resulting from the poultry pathogen Clostridium perfringens. This bacterium causes intestinal damage in chickens, leading to reduced feed conversion economics, clinical illness and deaths. It is a troubling bacterial issue in worldwide poultry production and a frequent reason for the prophylactic or therapeutic use of antibiotics in feeds. This bacterium also causes disease in humans; leading to "food poisoning" if ingested and "gas gangrene" if introduced into wounds.
The trial is entitled "Preventative Effect of OxC-beta on Necrotic Enteritis Model with Broiler Chickens." It will have five study arms: testing two clinically and commercially relevant dosages of OxC-beta against two commercial Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGPs) and a negative control group. The trial will first reconfirm the optimal dose level of OxC-beta in this challenge model and then conduct two parallel repeats of greater statistical-significance.
The trial was designed by Professor Jang Hyung-Kwan, of the College of Veterinary Medicine of Chonbuk National University of Korea, Professor William Riley of Jinan University of Guangzhou, China and Avivagen executives. The trial will be conducted by Professor Jang at Chonbuk and the full protocol is targeted to conclude in the first quarter of calendar 2015.
Cameron Groome, CEO and President, commented on Avivagen's objectives for this trial "Professor Jang has developed an elegant and efficient Clostridial challenge model, and we are pleased to be working with him, Chonbuk and our Korean distributor on this study. It is our hope that this study will provide results to support national registrations for this poultry indication while also emulating the result of a previous trial with OxC-beta against this pathogen."
Cameron also discussed the various studies being established, "Avivagen-sponsored OxC-beta studies are important as they may provide publishable results in support of national product registrations. This second 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, any positive results of customer-sponsored OxC-beta trials might not be reported other than by way of 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 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.
----------------- |Copyright© 2014| |Avivagen | -----------------