AVIVAGEN INC OTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 3, 2015 / Avivagen Inc. (TSX Venture:VIV), (PINKSHEETS:CHEXF), 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, provides a summary of the final results of the poultry trial that was run by Chonbuk National University of the Republic of Korea.
The trial tested OxC-beta(TM) Livestock ("OxC-beta") for preventing morbidity resulting from bacteria that are a global poultry production issue. The pathogen, Clostridium perfringens, causes a condition called necrotic enteritis ("NE") that consists of intestinal damage that reduces producer economics and can also cause sickness or death. NE is a frequent reason for prophylactic use of antibiotics in poultry feeds.
The trial was conducted in broiler chickens and first reconfirmed the optimal levels of OxC-beta in this subclinical NE challenge model. It then conducted two parallel replicates of a main trial that consisted of seven study arms: testing three commercially-relevant levels of OxC-beta and two commonly-used Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGPs) against a negative control group (non-medicated infected) and a positive control group (non-medicated uninfected).
Response to the addition of OxC-beta pre-mix in the diet was determined by a series of health and economic measures, including average weight gain, final body weights, intestinal lesion severity and levels of the bacteria in feces.
OxC-beta at 2, 4 or 6 parts-per-million rate of inclusion matched the protection provided by the antibiotics bacitracin and virginiamycin. Statistically significant effects of the inclusion of OxC-beta were achieved for multiple trial measurements, with notable observations from the study including the following:
-Weight gain restored to the levels of non-medicated uninfected controls.
-Final body weights significantly greater than non-medicated infected controls.
-NE lesion scores significantly improved compared to non-medicated infected controls.
-Dose dependent reductions in the number of Clostridial bacteria in the OxC-beta-treated birds.
It is intended that detailed trial results be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Professor Jang Hyung-Kwan of the College of Veterinary Medicine of Chonbuk National University of Korea led the trial and stated "Our model of poultry necrotic enteritis provides a good representation of how such subclinical infections commonly impact producer economics. These trial results indicate dietary supplementation of OxC-beta will help to prevent NE and thereby improve productivity."
Cameron Groome, CEO and President of Avivagen also commented "As with a prior Canadian NE challenge trial in broiler chickens, we believe these results demonstrate that OxC-beta(TM) Livestock is a valuable new tool for poultry producers. Regulators are increasing restrictions on the use of antibiotics for disease prevention, so there is a growing need for in-feed alternatives like OxC-beta."
Cameron also discussed next steps in the development of OxC-beta(TM) Livestock for poultry "We are now moving ahead with confirming these broiler chicken results in the commercial operations of major poultry producers. Additionally, it is our intention to evaluate the benefits of OxC-beta for layer hens - another important poultry market."
About Avivagen Inc.
Avivagen Inc. is a publicly-listed life sciences company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol "VIV" and on OTC Pink as "CHEXF." The Company's goal is to develop and deliver scientifically-proven solutions that benefit companion and production animals by employing natural mechanisms for maintaining good health. Target markets include Livestock Productivity and Pet Wellness.
Avivagen is based in partnership facilities of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) - in Ottawa, Ontario and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. For more information, visit www.avivagen.com.
About OxC-beta(TM) fully-oxidized beta-carotene ("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, by supporting immune function and calming excess inflammation. The commercial-stage application of its technology is fully-oxidized beta-carotene. Fully-oxidized beta-carotene compounds occur naturally as carotenoid oxidation products in vegetation, but in minute amounts. They have been developed to support companion animal health and for use in the global food animal market.
Research results indicate OxC-beta supports innate immune function and reduces late-stage inflammation, which can help maintain good health. In pets, OxC-beta supports overall vitality, energy, mobility, joint function, and health of skin, coat and gut. Results observed in food animals have included healthier growth, more efficient utilization of feed and decreased morbidity. In food animals, it is intended that use of OxC-beta avoids the feeding of antibiotics. Avivagen's commercial products are OxC-beta(TM) Livestock (Kingdom of Thailand), Vivamune(TM) Vital Health3 Chews (United States) and Oximunol(TM) Chewable Tablets (United States).
About OxC-beta(TM) Livestock
OxC-beta(TM)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 protocols developed by Avivagen or producers. In past studies, OxC-beta(TM) Livestock has been shown to support health or growth in species such as chicken, pigs, cattle and fish. OxC-beta(TM) Livestock is currently available for commercial sale in the Kingdom of Thailand.
About Vivamune(TM) Vital Health3 Chews - For dogs and cats
Vivamune(TM) Vital Health3 Chews, containing Avivagen's proprietary active ingredients, are scientifically-formulated chews for dogs and cats. Vivamune(TM) Vital Health3 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) Chewable Tablets - For dogs
Oximunol(TM) Chewable Tablets are scientifically-formulated chewable tablets that contain Avivagen's proprietary, patented active ingredient OxC-beta(TM). OxC-beta(TM) has been shown to stimulate innate cellular immunity and may thereby help to maintain overall health and well-being. Oximunol(TM) Chewable Tablets were previously distributed by Bayer Healthcare LLC in the United States and Avivagen is now working to identify a new partner through which to distribute this product to veterinarians for dogs of all ages.
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. Proof-of-concept work is ongoing 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 further information will be made available when that patent application is published or as otherwise deemed prudent or required.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon the current expectations of management. Forward-looking statements 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 "aim", "anticipate", "appear", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "if", "intend", "goal", "hope", "likely", "may", "plan", "possibly", "potentially", "seem", "should", "whether", "will", "would" and similar expressions. Statements about uses of the technologies described in this news release, including their importance to animal or human health, their novelty, safety, efficacy or affordability, whether trial conditions were representative, the relevance of trial parameters measured, trial publication or patenting intentions and the views of the researcher or management, are all forward looking statements. 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. Such Avivagen risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: its ability to continue as a going concern; the results of ongoing livestock trials may not be positive or sufficiently positive; even if the results of trials are positive, there is no guarantee that its products will be commercially successful or that requisite regulatory approvals will be obtained; the timing and results of trials may be delayed or may not be completed at all; and intellectual property rights may prove inadequate to protect its inventions. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, 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
100 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0R6
Head Office Phone: 613-949-8164
Website: www.avivagen.com
----------------- |Copyright© 2015| |Avivagen | -----------------
SOURCE: Avivagen Inc.
