Avivagen Announces Abstract Presentation of Final Poultry Trial Results at Symposium of the Korean Society of Veterinary Science

OTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 29, 2015 / Avivagen Inc. (TSX VENTURE: VIV, PINKSHEETS: CHEXF), a life sciences company that develops and delivers products that support and enhance the health of livestock, pets and people, announces the presentation of a scientific abstract summarizing the results of the poultry trial 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”) resulting in 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 tested OxC-beta against two commonly-used Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGPs), a negative control group (non-medicated infected) and a positive control group (non-medicated uninfected). Summary results were reported by Avivagen in its news release of March 3rd, 2015 but this is the first time results have been presented to the scientific community.

The abstract is being presented at the Spring Academic Symposium of the Korean Society of Veterinary Science (www.kjvr.org), taking place in Seoul, Korea on April 29, 2015. The abstract can be viewed on Avivagen’s website at www.avivagen.com and is entitled:

“Preventive Effects of OxC-beta on a Necrotic Enteritis Challenge Model of Broiler Chickens“

The authors of the abstract are Jae-Young Oh, Bai Wei, Jae-Hee Roh, Min Kang, Hye-Suk Seo, Ran-Hee Yoon, Se-Yeoun Cha, and Professor Hyung-Kwan Jang, who led the trial work.

The abstract provides an introduction to OxC-beta and its mechanisms of action, then discusses materials and methods used in the trial and outlines its results, which are:

• – Mean body weight of the OxC-beta treatment groups was significantly increased relative to the non-medicated bird group.

  – The body weight of the 2 parts-per-million (ppm) OxC-beta treatment group steadily increased for the trial period in the face of the bacterial challenge.

  – Average weight gain of the OxC-beta treatment groups for the whole trial period was restored to the weight achieved by the non-challenged bird group.

  – Intestinal lesion scores due to NE infection were significantly alleviated by OxC-beta treatment compared to the non-medicated bird group.

  – The Clostridial bacteria count in feces was reduced by OxC-beta in a dose dependent pattern.

The authors of the abstract go on to draw the following conclusions about OxC-beta:

• – Low ppm levels of OxC-beta in feed can contribute to the prevention and improvement of NE in commercial broiler chicken farming and is expected to have a positive effect in improving productivity for the feeding period.

Cameron Groome, CEO and President of Avivagen commented “We thank the team at Chonbuk University for their assistance with conducting this NE challenge study. We are pleased the results are being shared with the scientific community and that the methods employed will be openly accessible. We believe OxC-beta is a valuable new tool for livestock production and welcome further abstracts and publications describing its growing list of benefits.”

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. Avivagen’s 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 and energy, mobility and joint function, and skin, coat and gut health. 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 Avivagen or producer-developed protocols. 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 help it 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 distributed by a multinational animal health company in the United States and Avivagen is now working to identify a new partner through which to distribute 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 covering World Trade Organization countries will be pursued and further information will be disclosed when a 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,” “consider,” “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 or results are commercially relevant, and the cited conclusions of the researchers, 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 or future 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

SOURCE: Avivagen Inc.

ReleaseID: 428315