Greetings List Friends.
I received this from Stuart Bond (see below) now retired from VIDO in
Saskatoon. It is a press release from Bioniche Life Sciences out of
Belville Ontario. It tells of progress in the development of a vaccine
to reduce the E.coli bacterial load in the digestive tract of cattle.
Regards
Ross Gould, P.Ag. Retired
Calgary, Alberta
-------- Original Message --------
For your information.
Stuart Bond, P Ag. (retired)
----- Original Message -----
From: Wannamaker, Luba <mailto:Luba.Wannamaker@Bioniche.com>
To: Wannamaker, Luba <mailto:Luba.Wannamaker@Bioniche.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 6:55 AM
Subject: Bioniche Life Sciences' E. coli O157:H7 Cattle Vaccine Data
Presented at Two International Symposia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Bioniche Life Sciences' E. coli O157:H7 Cattle Vaccine Data
Presented at Two International Symposia
-- update on regulatory approval--
BELLEVILLE, ON, December 6, 2006 - Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. (TSX:
BNC), a research-based, technology-driven Canadian biopharmaceutical
company, today announced that researchers involved with its proprietary
E. coli O157:H7 cattle vaccine presented clinical research results at
two major international symposia.
Veterinary Vaccines Conference - Hamburg, Germany
Dr. Dragan Rogan, Vice-President of Research & Development in the
Company's Animal Health Division, presented data today at Animal Pharm's
and Informa Life Sciences' Veterinary Vaccines conference in Hamburg,
Germany.
Dr. Rogan noted, "Scientists around the world believe that best way to
control contamination of beef products is to reduce or eliminate E. coli
O157:H7 from the gut of animals in the pre-harvest period. Vaccination
could decrease bacteria counts in the environment by reducing
replication of bacteria in the gut of cattle" A decrease in the
environmental load of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria is expected to reduce the
incidence of contamination.
In Dr. Rogan's presentation, he summarized Proof of Principle studies
conducted by Bioniche. These studies showed that cattle vaccination
resulted in a dramatic decrease in the duration of shed, as well as a
reduction in the magnitude of shedding by 2.28 logs (99.47%).
International Symposium on Shiga Toxin (Verocytotoxin)-Producing
Escherichia coli Infections - Melbourne, Australia
The Bioniche E. coli O157:H7 vaccine was also featured at the 6th
International Symposium on Shiga Toxin (Verocytotoxin) - producing
Escherichia coli infections (VTEC 2006) in Melbourne, Australia from
October 29 to November 1, 2006.
Dr. David Smith, from the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical
Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, presented data from a study
entitled, "Effect of Regional Vaccination within the Feedyard on
Escherichia coli O157:H7 Rectal Colonization, Fecal Shedding, and Hide
Contamination", which had been conducted with Drs. Rodney Moxley, Terry
Klopfenstein, and Galen Erickson.
The presentation outlined the results of a study testing the efficacy of
regional application, within a beef cattle feedlot, of a two-dose
vaccine regimen against type III secreted proteins of Escherichia coli
O157:H7. Five hundred and four cattle were randomly assigned within
weight strata to 63 pens within 3 treatment regions of the feedyard.
Regional vaccination treatments (i.e., within regions of 21 contiguous
pens per treatment) were: 1) placebo treatment with two doses of
adjuvant; 2) all cattle treated with two doses of vaccine; 3) commingled
vaccination with half of the cattle in the pen receiving two doses of
vaccine and the others receiving two doses of adjuvant. The study
concluded that the 2-dose vaccine regimen effectively reduced E. coli
O157:H7 fecal shedding and hide contamination. Regional vaccination
provided greater protection against hide contamination than commingling
vaccinates and non-vaccinates.
More than 30,000 cattle have been involved in studies with the Bioniche
E. coli O157:H7 vaccine over the past four years, the majority of these
at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Smith concludes, "The vaccine
has been efficacious in field trials, under conditions of natural
exposure to E. coli O157:H7. Pens of vaccinated cattle are less likely
to be colonized with E. coli O157:H7, shed the organism in feces, have
environmental exposure to the agent, or have E. coli O157:H7
contaminated hides."
E. coli O157:H7 Vaccine Regulatory Update
Bioniche Life Sciences - through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln - is
completing a field efficacy study designed for the U.S. regulator of the
E. coli O157:H7 vaccine, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Canadian regulator of the E. coli O157:H7 vaccine, the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency (CFIA), advised the Company on November 3, 2006 that
it is proceeding with the ongoing review of the licensing documentation
for this product. CFIA indicated that incoming documentation will be
reviewed on a high priority basis, in collaboration with Health Canada.
Graeme McRae, President & CEO of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. stated,
"We
are moving forward with regulatory approval for this important vaccine.
Recent cases of E. coli O157:H7 contamination reinforce the potential
danger of letting this harmful bacterial strain go unchecked. The
reduction in colonization and shedding in vaccinated animals will create
a significant positive impact on the environment, which will extend far
beyond the cattle market."
About E. coli O157:H7
Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are normal organisms found in the
intestinal track of all animals and humans. Most E. coli are
non-pathogenic (non-disease-causing) to their host, however certain
strains can cause intestinal disease and, occasionally, other
significant systemic disease. The E. coli O157:H7 bacterium, which was
first identified in South America and drifted northward, produces a
powerful toxin that can cause severe illness in humans and often result
from consumption of contaminated food or water. Ruminant livestock (e.g.
cattle) are considered the major reservoir of E. coli O157:H7 worldwide.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that the incidence of E. coli O157:H7
in beef and dairy cattle is widespread and that the organism is found
in, on, and around cattle in all parts of the world. Use of manure as
fertilizer for crop production and run-off from beef and dairy cattle
operations are a source of contamination for the general environment, as
well as surface and ground water. E. coli O157:H7 contamination of food
and water as a result of fecal shedding by livestock is a
well-recognized and documented threat to human health.
About Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. is a research-based, technology-driven
Canadian biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery,
development, manufacturing, and marketing of proprietary products for
human and animal health markets worldwide. The fully-integrated company
employs approximately 188 skilled personnel and has three operating
divisions: Human Health, Animal Health, and Food Safety. The Company's
primary goal is to develop proprietary cancer therapies supported by
revenues from marketed products in human and animal health. For more
information, please visit www.Bioniche.com <http://www.bioniche.com/>.
Except for historical information, this news release may contain
forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current
expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements
involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause, but are not limited to,
changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion of
clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the impact
of competitive products and pricing, new product development,
uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process, and other
risks detailed from time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly and
annual reporting.
For further information, please contact:
Jennifer Shea
Corporate Communications & Investor
Relations Manager
Bioniche Life Sciences Inc.
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
Telephone: (613) 966-8058
Cell: (613) 391-2097
Jennifer.Shea@Bioniche.com <mailto:Jennifer.Shea@Bioniche.com>
