7 September 2017

Belleville, Ontario – NovaVive Inc., an animal health immunobiology company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a co-operation agreement with Hoken Biotechnology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. Under the agreement, Hoken has become the exclusive distributor for NovaVive’s cattle immunotherapeutic, Amplimune™, in The People’s Republic of China, the Kingdom of Thailand, Malaysia and the Republic of Indonesia.

Amplimune is a potent immunomodulator that reduces 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. The product has regulatory approval currently in Canada and the U.S.

Veterinarians and cattle producers are under increasing pressure to reduce antibiotic therapies used in animals, particularly food producing animals like cattle. E. coli diarrhea in calves is typically treated with antibiotics.

More than 114 million cattle are raised in China alone (2014, FAOStat). An increasing demand for cattle protein products (milk and meat) has driven a significant expansion in the Chinese cattle industry over the last several decades.  The same health concerns that are seen in North American cattle herds are seen in Chinese herds. As of May, 2017, the Chinese government announced that all food products are now being tested for antibiotic residue. If any residue is found, the products cannot be sold. There are no registered antibiotic alternative products available in China.

Under the co-operation agreement, NovaVive has committed to assist Hoken in conducting clinical studies to support the submission of regulatory dossiers to Asian veterinary products regulatory authorities. When the product is successfully registered, Hoken has committed to provide sales, marketing and technical support.

“We are pleased to have Hoken assisting us to access the Asian market with Amplimune,” said Graeme McRae, President of NovaVive Inc. “Hoken has a solid reputation for introducing North American products in Asia, and has numerous key contacts in government and industry that will facilitate our success.”

“We are excited to introduce Amplimune to Asian markets,” said Kit Shum, President, Hoken Biotechnology (Beijing) Co. Ltd. “There is a serious concern about antibiotics in livestock and there are no alternatives for cattle producers. This will be a very important product in Asia.”

The two parties have agreed to negotiate a Joint Venture to commercialize and/or manufacture the product for sale in the territory.

About Hoken Biotechnology (Beijing) Co. Ltd.

Hoken is a Beijing-based distributor of veterinary products in the People’s Republic of China, the Kingdom of Thailand, Malaysia and the Republic of Indonesia. Hoken has been a leader in the introduction of Canadian bovine and porcine genetics to the Chinese market over the past 30 years. In addition, Hoken was responsible for the introduction of Canadian developed and manufactured Folltropin®-V, a reproductive product for cattle, to the Chinese market.

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 technology with 5 regulator-approved products. Two of these products treat cancer in horses and dogs, while others have demonstrated the capability of reducing the reliance on antibiotics in the treatment of certain diseases of horses and cattle. 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, visit www.NovaVive.ca.

For further information, 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