Phosphagenics Limited Reports Positive Results For Weaner Pig Feed Efficiency Trial

• 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

MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.