No goevernment subsidy for Econiche is anticipatedOnly "guidelines". Feeble attempt by the government, I must say. We can stop all the speculation now. Only market demand will drive the sale. Sounds like another long wait folks. Is McRae jumping the gun again?
Please see Jennifer's detailed reply to my email:
Hello Dr. ______,
In response to your questions below, you are correct that pre-harvest E. colivaccine represents an additional expense for beef producers. Theinitial market drivers to encourage adoption will be Food Safety andInspection Service recommendations and ' brand=' management.
TheFood Safety and Inspection Service issued guidelines last May forabattoirs to request cattle suppliers to have used pre-harvest E. coliO157 reduction interventions. This recommendation has not yet had asignificant impact, however, we expect it will have an impact over time.
Ona more urgent basis, brands of beef have already expressed considerableinterest in vaccination as this is a practical way to reduce the riskto their brand.
In terms of government subsidization, it is unlikely that this will occur.
Theconditional license of the Epitopix vaccine in the U.S., and itssubsequent acquisition by Pfizer will help to open the market in thatcountry. While we have been surprised at how long it is taking toacquire our conditional license in the U.S., we do see that it isinevitable and know there is market interest in Econiche. The mode of action of Econiche provides has a great technical edge and we expect it will do well on a head to head competitive basis.
Regardingour partnership with Endo Pharmaceuticals, I can assure you that we areworking co-operatively with them to progress the Phase III clinicalprogram with Urocidin as quickly as possible. Endo is ascommitted as we are to the success of the program, and we both stand tobenefit greatly with successful commercialization of this product.
You sent a subsequent email asking about animal health products based on our MCC technology platform. TheCompany has three registered animal health products using MycobacterialCell Wall Extract (MCWE). These are immunotherapeutic products whichstimulate a network of non-specific immune system cells to fightinfection using the animal’s own immune system, rather than requiringantibiotics or other anti-infectives. The registered products are: Equimune® I.V., Immunoboost® and SETTLETM:
• Equimune® I.V., sold in the United States and Australia, is a patented immunotherapeutic for the treatment of equine respiratory disease.
• Immunoboost®,a mycobacterial cell wall immunotherapeutic sold in the United States,is the first of its kind licensed for the treatment of neonatal calfdiarrhea caused by the E. coli bacterium. E. coli has developed resistance to many antibiotics.
• SETTLE™ wasapproved by the USDA in December 2004 as an aid in the treatment ofequine endometritis, a production limiting disease which affects 10% to20% of broodmares worldwide. The disease results in both low conceptionrates and loss of pregnancies, both of which are serious concerns forbreeders. SETTLE™ therapy can also be easily assimilated intoreproductive treatment protocols, offering the benefit of enhancing thebody’s own immune responses.
Currently, SETTLE™ isregistered in the United States and Australia. The Company is pursuingregistrations in additional countries and in other species of animals.
Themycobacterial cell wall portfolio of products is manufactured by theCompany at its facility in Athens, Georgia and the Company maintains astrong proprietary position for these technologies.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Email: Jennifer.Shea@Bioniche.com
www.Bioniche.com