30 October 2023

Napanee, Ontario, Canada - NovaVive Inc., an animal health immunobiology company, today announced that an abstract has been presented at the 2023 AETA & CETA/ACTE Joint Convention in Orlando, FL. The abstract summarizes a research study evaluating the effect of mycobacterium cell wall fraction (MCWF) (Amplimune®) on pregnancy per embryo transfer (P/ET) in dairy recipients with 1 to 3 lactations. The study was conducted by Dr. Ramon Tosta, DVM at Boviteq California.

In Dr. Tosta’s study, recipients (Jersey, Holstein, or mixed breed) were synchronized with a Double-Ovsynch protocol, then randomly assigned to 2 groups and given either a single IM dose of 5 mL of Amplimune (n = 744) or 5 mL of sterile saline (n = 738) on the day of last GnRH administration.

A fresh or frozen IVF embryo was transferred to each recipient with a corpus luteum ≥20 mm in diameter 7 to 8 days after last GnRH administration. Pregnancy data of recipients transferred a grade 1 (excellent or good quality) or grade 2 (fair quality) embryo was recorded on Days 30 and 60.

In the study, lactation and breed had an effect on P/ET at Day 60. For instance, higher P/ET was observed for recipients with one lactation (43.7% [279/639]) than P/ET for recipients with more lactations (37.3% [173/464], P < 0.05). Also, higher P/ET was seen for Jersey recipients (45.2% [235/520]) than for Holstein/mixed breed recipients (37.22% [217/583], P < 0.05).

No differences in P/ET were identified between treatment groups at Days 30 or 60. However, in recipients with one lactation, the P/ET at Day 60 after transfer of grade 1 embryos was numerically higher in the Amplimune group vs. the control group (44.8% [94/210] and 43.7% [90/206], respectively, P > 0.05). Similarly, the P/ET at Day 60 after transfer of grade 2 embryos was numerically higher in the Amplimune group vs. the control group (46.4% [52/112] and 38.7% [43/111], respectively, P > 0.05).

“Although there were no significant differences between the treatment groups, treatment with MCWF (Amplimune) resulted in a numerical improvement in P/ET at Day 60 in recipients with one lactation,” noted Dr. Tosta. “This may indicate that MCWF has some benefit for these recipients.” He recommended that further studies in a larger number of recipients be conducted to confirm these findings.

About Amplimune

Amplimune is manufactured in the USA and approved by regulators in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates to reduce the clinical signs and mortality associated with E. coli K99 diarrhea in neonatal calves. The product is an emulsion of mycobacterium cell wall fractions (MCWF) that enhances innate immunity to fight bacterial infections without the use of antibiotics. When injected into the animal, Amplimune enhances both innate and adaptive immune responses to fight bacterial infections. Amplimune is OMRI listed in the U.S. and Canada for use in organic production.

About NovaVive Inc.

NovaVive is a private company founded in July, 2014. The Company has an advanced veterinary immunotherapeutic platform based on mycobacterium cell wall fraction (MCWF) technology with 5 regulator-approved products in the U.S. (three of these are regulator-approved in Canada; two in Australia; and three in New Zealand). Certain MCWF formulations have demonstrated the capability of reducing the reliance on antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial diseases of cattle and horses or effectively treating viral equine respiratory disease. Other formulations have been developed as anticancer therapies in dogs and horses. The Company’s development plan is to identify additional livestock and companion animal diseases that may be effectively treated with its immunotherapeutic technology platform. For more information about the Company, please visit www.NovaVive.ca, or contact:

Graeme McRae, President
Graeme.McRae@NovaVive.ca      
Phone: 613-391-3837      

or   

Jennifer Shea, V-P, Investor Relations & Business Development
Jennifer.Shea@NovaVive.ca
Phone: 613-391-2097