Phosphagenics Reports Positive Results for Weaner Pig Feed Efficiency Trial
January 20 2016 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
- Improvement in feed conversion ratio
(FCR) in starter/weaner pigs treated with TPM®
- TPM® outperforms
standard Vitamin E as feed additive in first 14 days post
weaning
Australian drug delivery company, Phosphagenics Limited
(ASX:POH; OTCQX:PPGNY), is pleased to report positive results in
its initial Animal Health and Nutrition trial. This trial, in more
than 1500 weaner (young) pigs, is the first in a series of planned
randomized, controlled studies designed to assess if TPM® can
enhance the efficiency in which livestock converts feed into weight
gain (measured as feed conversion ratio (FCR)).
The study compared the benefit of TPM® at doses of 5 to 40 mg/kg
with that of increasing doses of Vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol
acetate) up to 160mg/kg across the first two development phases
post weaning (phase 1: 0-14 days and phase 2: 15-34 days). Weaner
pigs are subjected to significant metabolic stress due to high
growth rates, change of diet and social stress which can result in
significant production limitations, particularly during the first
of these phases. It is believed that supporting pigs at this early
stage of the commercial lifecycle provides the opportunity for
maximum growth potential long-term, conferring a potentially
significant financial benefit to farmers and the food industry.
In the first phase (0-14 days), TPM® treatment resulted in a
statistically significant, linear dose dependent improvement in
feed efficiency. The FCR with 40mg/kg of TPM® was more than three
percent (>3%) better than the best result achieved with any dose
of Vitamin E. The potential for further improvement in FCR exists
at higher doses of TPM® than used in the current study.
The significant difference observed in the first phase of the
trial was not seen in the second phase (days 15 – 34 of treatment).
Unforeseen health issues in the pigs during this second phase
resulted in significant suppression of performance across the board
for all treatment groups, compromising FCR assessments.
General Manager of Phosphagenics’ Animal Health and Nutrition
Business, Dr Roksan Libinaki, said, “The first few weeks post
weaning are seen as a critical period in which production
limitations can occur for the pork industry. It is very pleasing to
see that, despite some challenges in the study, we were still able
to demonstrate that TPM® can provide a significant benefit in the
form of improved FCR during this important phase of development.
Achieving an improvement in feed efficiency of greater than three
percent at this weaner stage provides a good platform to
substantiate the potential benefits of TPM® as a feed additive. We
see these results as important in positively differentiating the
potential of TPM® in the minds of our potential partners across
multiple species.”
Phosphagenics’ CEO, Dr Ross Murdoch, said, “This is an important
result for our Animal Health and Nutrition business and supports
further investment in our TPM® livestock feed additive program.
This study provides compelling data to present to major feed
producers with a view to entering partnering arrangements. The next
grower/finisher pig study will provide further means to assess the
potential value of TPM®‘s applications in pigs.
Additional studies are planned for production animals throughout
2016, to assess the value of TPM® across the broader market
segment.
The grower/finisher pig study is on track to be completed in Q2
2016.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160120005519/en/
EnquiriesPhosphagenics LimitedDr Ross Murdoch+61 3 9565
1119orBuchan ConsultingKyahn Williamson+61 3 9866 4722 / +61 40 101
8828kwilliamson@buchanwe.com.au
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