AXITAN & QUALITECH ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP & DISTRIBUTE NEW ENDOLYSIN PRODUCTS FOR POULTRY, SWINE & RUMINANT INDUSTRIES
Axitan Limited, a leading biotech company focused on the development of endolysin enzyme products to replace antibiotics in animal feed, today announces that it has entered into a strategic partnership with QualiTech - a global manufacturer of animal nutrition, plant nutrition, and food ingredient products and services - for the development and distribution of certain novel endolysin products.
Under the terms of the agreement, QualiTech will be the exclusive distributor for Axitan’s FORC3® product for the swine, ruminant and all poultry markets in North America, except broilers. Axitan will continue to be the exclusive distributor for broilers. FORC3® is a proven solution with unparallelled results in targeting Clostridium perfringens, the causative agent of necrotic enteritis in poultry.
In addition to distributing FORC3® in North America, Axitan and QualiTech are collaborating to develop novel endolysin-based products to resolve pathogenic issues in the swine & ruminant segments. QualiTech will have the exclusive distribution rights of these new products for the swine & ruminant markets in North America.
Alfred Zimmerman, CEO of Axitan, said: “Endolysins open the doorway to the next generation of antibiotic-free production. We are delighted to have entered into this agreement with QualiTech. It is a major endorsement for our technology platform and allows us to leverage QualiTech’s leading presence in the North American animal nutrition market.”
Since its formation, Axitan’s biotech team has pioneered the development and incorporation of endolysins into animal feed for targeting and eliminating pathogens historically managed through antibiotics. Axitan identifies and formulates endolysins into nutrient rich feed additives that help provide material performance benefits to livestock farmers in addition to pathogen mitigation. Endolysins are unique both in terms of their specificity of pathogen target and for not triggering antimicrobial resistance. Axitan’s first product in commercial production is FORC3® which specifically targets Clostridium perfringens in poultry. It has a robust pipeline of new endolysin based products for targeting other pathogens that present production and/or food borne illness issues to the industry.
Scott Hine, President of QualiTech’s Animal Nutrition and Agronomy businesses, commented: “QualiTech is thrilled about the synergies between the Axitan product line and our existing solutions, enabling us to further our strategic focus on early-life vitality and performance, ensuring a strong start and sustained growth. Axitan's proven success with their technology positions them as the ideal development partner for introducing the next generation of performance-enhancing, non-resistance-triggering, antibiotic-free feed additives. Common pathogens cause billions of dollars in economic losses annually across the swine, ruminant, and poultry industries. At QualiTech, we are committed to delivering high-quality ingredients and nutrients that support animal health and wellbeing. With consumer demand increasingly favoring antibiotic-free, high-protein food sources, QualiTech and Axitan are poised to lead the way.”
About QualiTech
Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Chaska, MN, QualiTech is a leading global manufacturer of value-added ingredient solutions with product applications that fulfil complex taste, appearance, texture and functional attribute requirements for food, animal nutrition, and agronomy customers. The company delivers best-in-class ingredients and nutrients that promote the health and wellbeing of people, animals, and the environment to a broad range of market-leading customers in CPG, livestock, and specialty crop end-markets. For further information on the Company, the markets it serves and its products, please visit www.qualitechco.com
About Axitan
Axitan is the leading biotech company focused on the development, manufacture and sale of novel endolysins to target and neutralize pathogens impacting animal production & food safety. The endolysins form the core of Axitan’s formulated, performance improving, feed additive products. Through its technology platform, Axitan is building the next generation of feed additives for targeting tough pathogens, without antibiotics, its mission being to facilitate the full and safe removal of antibiotics in animal production through endolysin based solutions. Axitan’s operations are located in the US and UK. For further information on the Company and its products, please visit www.axitan.com.