Innovotech Inc.'s MBEC Assay(TM) Approved as International Biofilm Standard
“Currently, most disinfectants are evaluated using bacteria grown in suspension,” said Dr. Darla M. Goeres, Assistant Research Professor, Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE) at Montana State University, and a member of the ASTM Subcommittee E35 on Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents. “This method enables companies to determine the efficacy of products against bacteria in their more natural state, and therefore provides a better approach for predicting the efficacy of disinfectants under real-use conditions.”
“The approval of the MBEC Assay™ as an ASTM standard represents a fundamental shift in how disinfectants will be evaluated on their effectiveness in protecting against harmful microorganisms,” said Ken Boutilier, President and CEO of Innovotech. “This approval paves the way for a new generation of disinfectants in the food industry and in hospitals, designed specifically to address the issue of biofilms, thereby reducing the number of deaths and sicknesses resulting from foodborne and infection related illnesses.”
Biofilms are organized communities of microorganisms that exist in virtually every natural environment. Biofilms can be up to 1000 times more resistant to treatment than the same organism in a free-floating state.
A recent report indicated that there are 76 million food related illness a year, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths in the US, at a cost to the economy of $152 billion a year.
In addition to its MBEC Assay™, Innovotech sells diagnostic kits that test bacterial susceptibility against antibiotics under biofilm conditions.
About ASTM International
ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials) provides a global forum for the development and publication of international voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems and services. Known for their high technical quality and market relevance, ASTM standards are used in research and development, product testing and quality systems. ASTM standards are a critical element of the information infrastructure that guides manufacturing and trade in the global economy. For more information visit http://www.astm.org/
About Innovotech Inc.
Innovotech Inc. is a pioneer in the field of biofilm product development, focused on providing innovative and practical solutions to medical, agricultural and industrial problems caused by microbial biofilms. Biofilms are responsible for a host of diseases both in human health and agriculture due to their inherent resistance to existing antibiotics and disinfectants. Aside from Innovotech’s products there are currently no antibiotics, disinfectants, or diagnostics designed specifically for biofilm-forming organisms.
Innovotech currently has two commercial products, the MBEC Assay™ and bioFILM PA™, and one product, Agress®, in advanced stages of development. The MBEC Assay™ is a high throughput biofilm growth device. bioFILM PA™ is the first diagnostic kit to assist physicians in the selection of the most effective combination antibiotic treatment of patients with biofilm-based chronic lung infections and Agress® is a unique, environmentally friendly seed treatment and plant spray designed to protect crops against both bacterial and fungal infections.
For more information contact:
Ken Boutilier, President and CEO
Innovotech Inc.
Phone: (780) 448-0585 ext. 221
Fax: (780) 424-0941
Email: ken.boutilier@innovotech.ca
Amanda Stadel, Communications Officer
Innovotech Inc.
Phone: (780) 448-0585 ext. 224
Fax: (780) 424-0941
Email: amanda.stadel@innovotech.ca
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