Chemaphor, a leading participant in Prince Edward Island’s bioscience industry, is moving from a research and development entity to successfully commercializing their first product in the marketplace, says Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allan Campbell.
With the launch of Avivagen Animal Health, the company introduced two new products to the animal health market – Oximunol™ Chewable Tablets and VetStem RC Regenerative Cell Therapy.
“The growth of bioscience on Prince Edward Island has been phenomenal in recent years,” said Minister Campbell. “The launch of Avivagen will give our Island industry an important presence in the field of science-based, natural health products for companion animals. To see a promising initiative like this originate on the Island is very rewarding.”
Chemaphor has been operating in Prince Edward Island since 2005 in the industrial partnership facility of the National Research Council Institute for Nutrisciences and Health. Since its inception, it has grown from four people located in PEI to more than twelve. The Province has invested in the development of those positions and continues to support its future growth.
“The commercialization of Oximunol™ Chewable Tablets in Canada is only the first step in our aggressive product introduction strategy,” comments Dave Hankinson, CEO of Avivagen Animal Health, a fully owned subsidiary of Chemaphor Inc. charged with commercialization. “In the next year, we are expecting to have additional products on the market based on our proprietary active ingredient, OxC-beta, in Canada and the U.S. for a number of species including horses and cats.”
Backgrounder
Chemaphor Inc. has launched Avivagen Animal Health as well as two new products to the animal health market – Oximunol™ Chewable Tablets and VetStem RC Regenerative Cell Therapy.
Oximunol™ Chewable Tablets contain OxC-beta, a fully oxidized form of ß-carotene that is made up of compounds occurring naturally in the plant world. These compounds offer significant health benefits to dogs in a palatable, chewable daily tablet. Canadian clinical trials submitted for publication have shown a statistically significant improvement in coat quality, including a reduction of shedding. Oximunol™ Chewable Tablets also help dogs enjoy activity more and help optimize normal gastrointestinal and general health, especially in older and less active dogs.
VetStem RC Regenerative Cell Therapy is scientifically proven for treatment of arthritic conditions, and joint and ligament injuries in dogs, cats and horses. A small amount of fat tissue is extracted by the patient’s veterinarian, and then couriered to Avivagen Animal Health’s new, state-of-the-art, Canadian laboratory facility in Charlottetown, PEI. The doses required for immediate treatment are then returned to the veterinarian for injection into the patient, often within 48 hours of extraction. Extra doses are stored by Avivagen Animal Health for future treatments. This therapy has been exclusively licensed by Avivagen Animal Health for the Canadian market from Vet-Stem in the U.S.