KEEGO HARBOR, MI--(Marketwired - September 21, 2016) - ZIVO Bioscience, Inc. (OTCQB: ZIVO)
In the 14 months since the last shareholder meeting in late June of 2015, the Company has continued to focus on Research and Development (R&D) efforts for its proprietary algal biomass, extracts and high-value bioactive compounds while developing the business case and production scale-up to cultivate and productize that algal biomass.
Despite funding challenges that affected forward momentum over the past year, the R&D team was able to move forward incrementally on several fronts in fall of 2015 and through the summer of 2016, among them contracting the University of Georgia’s Center for Complex Carbohydrate Research to conduct further analysis of the supernatant and cell extractions. Also, the National Food Laboratory and Covance conducted nutritional profile analyses of the algal biomass, while GreenWater Laboratories handled preliminary toxicological analyses. The testing was conducted as part of the requirements for FDA compliance as a feed/food ingredient.
From a nutritional perspective, the results are compelling: the ZIVO strain has more protein than an equivalent amount of beef liver, more micronutrients than many vegetable greens, as well as plenty of bioavailable vitamin A and C -- a flexible source of healthy, plant-based protein that can find its way into many different feeds, foods and beverages.
This is a new wrinkle in the ZIVO story, which has centered primarily on the bioactivity of the algal biomass and its extracts. ZIVO algae offers a non-GMO, antibiotic-free, sustainable source of non-animal protein with an exceptional amino acid profile.
The Company has made a white paper and a nutrition document available on its corporate website -- http://zivobioscience.com/ to further detail these new developments.
The Company’s near-term objective is to finalize its compliance efforts, to include extensive documentation of the production process at commercial scale, which is now underway at a facility in Vero Beach, Florida. Construction of covered ponds was completed in mid-May and algal feedstock from the Arizona Center for Algae Technology & Innovation (AzCATI) was successfully introduced and is growing in two 50,000 liter covered ponds. The algal biomass is harvested and shipped to a commercial spray-drying facility in Arizona, constituting the nutritional product ZIVO intends to market. The high-value bioactives would be extracted prior to the spray-dry step.
The Burdock Group, a consulting firm based in Orlando, FL was contracted in early June to assist the Company in its compliance efforts to garner FDA approval for the algal biomass and extracts as a human and animal food/feed ingredient.
In a parallel effort, the Company continues R&D efforts on its bioactive compounds, specifically as they pertain to bovine mastitis and canine joint health, as funding permits.
Over the past year, the Company has been engaged in a wide-ranging effort to raise $5 million in new capital to finalize its R&D deliverables and initiate licensing deals. Funding shortfalls have resulted in delayed experimentation and process development.
The WellMetris LLC affiliate has had its funding challenges, as well. However, forward progress has been made, as the WellMetris science team in the South Bend laboratory located at the University of Notre Dame campus has conducted several production runs of the wellness panel chemistry, followed by standards testing to confirm sensitivity, error rates and stability of the assays. Beginning in February, benchtop testing was also conducted on 25 beta-stage analyzers to make sure they met sensitivity and error rate goals. In late April, the 3D models for the sample collection device were finalized.
WellMetris conducted its first market research intercept program in late June to test the market for a consumer version of its compact, smartphone-enabled analyzer and mobile application. The WellMetris affiliate recently engaged compliance consultants and legal counsel to conduct a review of its regulatory strategy relative to a consumer personal health/nutrition version of the analyzer platform and to assist in the preparation of appropriate documentation and filings.
About ZIVO Bioscience, Inc.
ZIVO Bioscience, Inc. (OTCQB: ZIVO) is a Michigan-based biotech company engaged in the investigation of the health benefits of bioactive compounds derived from its proprietary algal cultures, and the development of natural bioactive compounds for use as dietary supplements and food ingredients, as well as biologically derived and synthetic candidates for medicinal and pharmaceutical applications in humans and animals, specifically focused on autoimmune and inflammatory response modulation.
About WellMetris, LLC
WellMetris, LLC is a Michigan-based biomed company engaged in the development of metabolic testing platforms to measure and monitor health and productivity in humans and animals utilizing its proprietary wellness panel, analyzer and analytic software.
Safe Harbor Statement
Except for any historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, including the timing of completion of a trial, actual future clinical trial results being different than the results the company has obtained to date, and the company’s ability to secure funding. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and those actual results or developments may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or otherwise.
