nr - Avivagen Receives Allowance for U.S. Feed Add Avivagen Receives Allowance for U.S. Feed Additive Patent Application
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, June 5, 2012 - Avivagen Inc. (the 'Company'; TSX Venture Exchange: VIV) is pleased to announce that its US patent application "Compositions and methods for promoting weight gain and feed conversion" has received an allowance from the U.S. Patent Office. Dr. Graham Burton, President of Avivagen, commented "This is an important milestone in Avivagen's goal to achieve extensive patent protection covering our proprietary oxidized carotenoid technology, including OxC-beta, for promoting and maintaining improved health in animals. The allowed claims are directed to foodstuffs including oxidized carotenoid, which can be used as a non-antibiotic alternative in commercial animal feeds, such as poultry, swine, cattle, horse, sheep and fish feeds."
Avivagen has identified the technology as a non-antibiotic alternative 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 this purpose. There is growing concern that this widespread, non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in animal feeds promotes the development of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms that, as a result, are becoming a threat to human health. In response to this situation there is increasing pressure to restrict or eliminate the use of antibiotics in animal feed. Presently, there is an unserved need for new, safe, and effective growth promotion agents for food producing animals that do not depend upon direct antimicrobial activity for their action. 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.
Earlier, Avivagen reported that similar claims have been granted for this patent family in several jurisdictions. Applications are still pending in other jurisdictions, including Europe, Asia and South America.
About OxC-beta
OxC-beta is Avivagen'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 Avivagen
Avivagen, a wellness company, is committed to developing and delivering products for animals and humans to assist in optimizing health and daily quality of life. Avivagen 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 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. The forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations of Avivagen 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. 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. 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, Avivagen Inc. President and Co-Founder, Avivagen Inc.
Phone: 902-825-9270 Phone: 613-990-0969
d.hankinson@avivagen.com g.burton@avivagen.com
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