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PRESS RELEASE - 06/23/2008
Intralytix Wins EPA Approval of Phage-Based Product
Baltimore, Maryland U.S.A., June 23, 2008 -
- A spokesman for Intralytix, Inc., announced today that the
company has received a registration from the Environmental
Protection Agency (“EPA”) for ListShield™ as an antimicrobial for
use against Listeria monocytogenes. ListShield is intended
for use in food processing plants and food-handing
establishments.
John D. Vazzana, President & CEO, noted
that this registration is the first approval by the EPA of a
natural phage-based product to be used as an environmental
decontaminant. Mr. Vazzana also noted that tests submitted to
the EPA show that ListShield kills 99% of Listeria monocytogenes
within 5 minutes of application. This product, Mr. Vazzana
added, will become an important supplement to current microbial
control practices in food processing and food-handling
establishments.
Mr. Vazzana also pointed out that ListShield
is a novel, natural and non-chemical approach for controlling
Listeria pathogens and will not corrode or damage
environmental surfaces or equipment.
Listeria monocytogenes is a
significant food-born disease. According to the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), it is estimated that
2,500 persons in the United States become seriously ill with
listeriosis each year and, of these, 500 die. Because of the
FDA’s zero tolerance of Listeria monocytogenes
contamination, millions of dollars of food is recalled annually.
Mr. Vazzana went on to note that ListShield
has previously been approved by the Food and Drug Administration
as a food additive, effective against Listeria monocytogenes
on ready-to-eat foods. ListShield is the first and only
phage-based food additive approved by the FDA.
Intralytix, Inc. is a biotechnology company
focused on improving human health through the development and
commercialization of innovative products for food safety and
human therapeutics using its core bacteriophage technology
platform.
For more information, contact Dr. Alexander
Sulakvelidze at 410-625-2533,
or at asulakvelidze@intralytix.com.
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