January 22, 2008 09:15 AM Eastern Time
Vyta Corp and Justin Holdings, Equal Owners of Their Joint Venture, BIOAGRA, LLC, Announced Successful Test Results Combating Gangrenous Dermatitis (Cellulitis) in Turkeys Fed Its Proprietary All-Natural Feed Ingredient AGRASTIM®
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vyta Corp (OTCBB:VYTC) and Justin Holdings, Inc., equal owners of their joint venture, BIOAGRA, LLC, today announced the completion of a successful study of the efficacy of AGRASTIM®, BIOAGRA’s proprietary all-natural Beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan feed supplement. In turkeys with the agent that causes gangrenous dermatitis (cellulitis), AGRASTIM® improved feed conversion and weight gain, and reduced mortality, compared to the standard industry treatment. AGRASTIM®, a biologically active yeast Beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan with a guaranteed minimum purity of 80%, is manufactured, marketed, and distributed by BIOAGRA, LLC.
This study was conducted, on the recommendation of one of the largest turkey processors in the U.S., by Stephen W. Davis, DVM, Dip. ACPV, of Colorado Quality Research, Inc., Wellington, Colorado. The study was designed to demonstrate that AGRASTIM® can safely and effectively replace antibiotics in the feed of turkeys that have been challenged by Clostridium septicum, the bacterium most commonly responsible for the condition known as gangrenous dermatitis. Gangrenous dermatitis is one of the most severe diseases currently afflicting the turkey, as well as the duck and broiler industries.
When gangrenous dermatitis is caused by Colostridium, morbidity (occurrence of disease) is generally rapid and may be up to 50%, and mortality is high. The gangrenous dermatitis challenge in this trial resulted in high mortality and severe lesion scores. “It was expected that this severe and excessive challenge in this study would overwhelm and negate any measurable benefit to the AGRASTIM® treatment,” reported Dr. Davis. “Overall, the AGRASTIM® treatment appeared to have positive effects on the performance and health of the tom turkeys receiving the severe bacterial challenge in this study.” Dr. Davis further reported that, “even with the excessive challenge, the results show obvious treatment effects.”
“These results, at least,” said Dr. Davis, “suggest the value of additional controlled and commercial industry experimental evaluation of AGRASTIM® in a gangrenous dermatitis challenge environment.”
The full report is available on BIOAGRA’s website. http://www.bioagra.net/
Recently, a study conducted at the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, in collaboration with the Southern Poultry Research Institute under the direction of Dr. Charles Hofacre and Mr. Greg Mathis, Ph.D., President of Southern Poultry Research Institute, demonstrated that AGRASTIM® can safely and effectively replace antibiotics in the feed of broilers when challenged by Clostridium perfringens, the agent that causes necrotic enteritis. Necrotic enteritis is a disease that causes significant losses to the broiler industry.
The results of these two trials successfully demonstrate that AGRASTIM® is capable of safely and economically replacing antibiotics in feedstocks, and is effective in the presence of severe bacterial and viral challenges based on its mode of action that activates the immune processes to effect healing and health.
Paul Metzinger, President and CEO of Vyta Corp, said, “We at Vyta Corp are pleased to announce these test results and the comments by Dr. Davis. Trials such as this, involving major industry players, are part of our ongoing sales and marketing effort. We believe the data from this trial is especially compelling when combined with previous test results, and are helping BIOAGRA move toward full commercialization of AGRASTIM®.”
AGRASTIM® has been listed by The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) as approved for use in organic production. AGRASTIM® is manufactured, marketed, and distributed by BIOAGRA, LLC.
About Vyta Corp
Vyta Corp of Denver, Colorado, is traded on the over-the-counter NASDAQ stock market (OTCBB:VYTC) as well as on the Frankfurt, Hamburg, XETRA and Munich Exchanges (OTC:VYTA).
Vyta Corp owns a 50% interest in BIOAGRA, LLC, a joint venture to manufacture, market and sell AGRASTIM®, a purified yeast Beta 1,3/1,6-D glucan product with a high bioactivity level of 90% or greater.
Vyta Corp owns various patents and intellectual properties related to NCS® (NanoPierce Connection System). This advanced system is designed to provide significant improvement over conventional electrical and mechanical interconnection methods for high density circuit boards, components, sockets, connectors, semiconductor packaging and electronic systems. For more information on Vyta Corp, please visit its website at http://www.vytacorp.com/.
About BIOAGRA, LLC
BIOAGRA, LLC is based in Hinesville, Georgia, where it produces, markets and sells AGRASTIM®, which is a purified yeast Beta 1,3/1,6-D glucan product with a high bioactivity function that improves the immune systems of animals and humans. AGRASTIM® is an all natural, organic, non-toxic natural Beta glucan feed supplement derived from spent brewer’s and distillery yeast. It is also used to replace fast growth promotion antibiotics that are currently used in the feed of the livestock (beef & dairy cattle), equine, swine, poultry, turkey, duck and aquaculture industries. For more information on BIOAGRA, LLC, please browse its website at http://www.bioagra.net/.
This announcement contains forward-looking statements about Vyta Corp that may involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors relating to the Company’s operations could cause results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements and further detailed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC website (http://www.sec.gov/). All forward-looking statements are based on information available to Vyta Corp on the date hereof and Vyta Corp assumes no obligation to update such statements.
Contacts
Vyta CorpPaul H. Metzinger, 303-592-1010
President & Chief Executive OfficerFax: 303-592-1054
paul@nanopierce.com
or
BIOAGRA, LLCNeal Bartoletta, 912-368-2870
PresidentFax: 912-638-2874BioAgra@aol.com
