NR - Chemaphor Inc. Status Update on Non-Antibioti Chemaphor Inc. Status Update on Non-Antibiotic OXC-Beta Feed Additive
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, March 29, 2012 - In light of a recent U.S. court ruling that may lead to a ban of the common agricultural use in the U.S. of popular antibiotics in animals because the practice may encourage the proliferation of dangerous infections and imperil public health, Chemaphor Inc. (TSX Venture Exchange: CFR) is providing an update on the status of the OxC-beta product it has developed as a novel alternative to the use of antibiotics in feeds.
The court decision requires the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to follow through on hearings it initiated 35 years ago regarding the safety and appropriateness of certain low-level "growth promoter" antibiotics used in animal feed. The FDA is required to take action on its own safety findings by withdrawing approval for most non-therapeutic uses of penicillin and tetracyclines in animal feed, unless the industry can prove in public hearings that those drug uses are safe. This action comes two months after the U.S. Administration announced restrictions on agricultural uses of cephalosporins, a critical class of antibiotics. The majority of antibiotics used in the United States still goes to treat animals, not humans. In Europe and several other countries the use of in-feed antibiotics has already been banned for several years. However no alternatives to antibiotics has been developed that have achieved widespread adoption by providing productivity benefits comparable to antibiotics.
The product developed by Chemaphor is based upon OxC-beta, Chemaphor's proprietary, concentrated source of oxidized carotenoid, which contains oxidation compounds that occur extensively in the plant world. Explained Dr. Graham Burton, President, "OxC-beta is truly an alternative to the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics because it has no antibiotic properties of its own and instead uses an entirely different, much more natural mechanism of action, that of supporting the animal's own immune system of natural defences to help combat infectious agents and to ameliorate their effects." OxC-beta has been found to display a unique combination of immunological properties, notably, priming of innate immune function, the first line of defence, especially under situations of stress, while being able to limit inflammatory conditions. Graham Burton noted "We have seen excellent results in poultry, swine and fish trials, so far. The results of clinical trials in animals are consistent with OxC-beta supporting immune function, which can translate into a wide variety of benefits arising from general overall health improvement. Specific benefits include better growth and utilization of feed and can include decreased overall disease and mortality."
Given that OxC-beta has shown promising efficacy in animals and the indications are that it is likely to be safe, Chemaphor has embarked on the last development stage to meet the formal requirements for obtaining regulatory approval for use of OxC-beta in feeds for food animals. In particular, it is necessary to perform certain, prescribed safety studies, as well as to demonstrate efficacy under conditions that closely simulate actual production conditions.
Graham Burton commented "We are working on both the safety and efficacy fronts. Fortunately we have provision within an existing government support program with non-dilutive funding to significantly defray the cost of the safety studies and the planned efficacy studies. I am encouraged by both the implied safety of the long history of exposure of humans and animals to naturally occurring ss-carotene oxidation products and the safety testing of OxC-beta already carried out with animals that we will see a good safety profile emerge after the required additional studies are completed. Also, we are very pleased to have established a collaborative relationship for the conduct of the efficacy trials with an excellent Canadian partner that has world wide experience in the production and distribution of feed additives. I am also pleased to say that with the scientific understanding of how the OxC-beta discovery works that has developed from our recent studies we will be submitting the first manuscripts on OxC-beta for publication in peer-reviewed journals in the near future."
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.
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. The results of treatment described above are based on historical results. Different animals may experience different results from the treatments described above.
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 Hankinson Graham Burton, PhD
CEO, Chemaphor Inc. President and Co-Founder, Chemaphor Inc.
Phone: 902-825-9270 Phone: 613-990-0969
d.hankinson@chemaphor.com g.burton@chemaphor.com
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