NR - Chemaphor Receives First Approvals for Intern Chemaphor Receives First Approvals for International Feed Additive Patent Application
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, March 20, 2012 - Chemaphor Inc. (the 'Company'; TSX Venture Exchange: CFR) is pleased to announce that its international patent application "Compositions and methods for promoting weight gain and fed conversion", after entering the National Phase of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), has achieved its first successes with acceptances in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Russia. Applications are presently pending in other regions of the world, including the U.S., Europe, Asia and South America.
Dr. Graham Burton, President of Chemaphor, commented "These are significant early milestones in the plan to achieve extensive patent protection for global use of Chemaphor's proprietary OxC-beta technology for promoting and maintaining optimal health in animals. Our scientific studies strongly support OxC-beta achieving this effect by supporting the animals' immune health. Under the stress of typical food animal production conditions the immune health benefit ultimately can help improve performance of the animals."
The invention relates to the use of carotenoid oxidation products as non-antibiotic alternatives to promote growth and feed conversion in food animals. In North America a major fraction (approximately 70%) of antibiotics is used in animal feeds for growth promotion and improving feed conversion. Concern has arisen that the widespread use of antibiotics in animal feed promotes the development of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. As a result of the increasing appearance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in feed lots, there is increasing pressure to limit the use of antibiotics in animal feed. Consequently, there is an immediate and increasing need for new, safe, and effective growth promotion agents for farm animals. Because feed is an expensive cost factor in the production of food from animals, any improvement in the ability of the animal to convert feed into food products or enhancement in growth rate can directly improve the financial return to a food producer.
International patents also have been filed for the use of OxC-beta in enhancing immune function, and for improving health of companion animals and of fish in aquaculture. Two of these applications have entered the National Phase and the third will enter later this year.
About OxC-beta
OxC-beta is Chemaphor's proprietary, concentrated source of oxidized carotenoid, containing oxidation compounds that occur extensively in the plant world. Results of clinical trials in animals and in vitro studies indicate OxC-beta helps support immune function, which can result in general overall health improvement. Specific benefits include better growth and utilization of feed in food production animals such as poultry and swine.
About Chemaphor
Chemaphor, a wellness company, is committed to developing and delivering products for animals and humans to assist in optimizing health and daily quality of life. Chemaphor is advancing product candidates for the food animal market, companion animal market and various potential human applications. More information can be found at www.chemaphor.com.
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 Chemaphor Inc. and Avivagen Animal Health Inc. and the environment in which their respective businesses operate. 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 Chemaphor Inc. and Avivagen Animal Health 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. Chemaphor 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:
David HankinsonGraham Burton, PhD
CEO, Chemaphor Inc.President and Co-Founder, Chemaphor Inc.
Phone: 902-825-9270Phone: 613-990-0969
d.hankinson@chemaphor.comg.burton@chemaphor.com