The US Environmental Protection Agency has granted regulatory label approval for the commercialisation of Xtend 21®– an innovative product that has been demonstrated by university studies to enhance long term antimicrobial surface protection.

The pathway of Xtend 21® for the US market first commenced in March 2020 when Apiam Animal Health (ASX: AHX) was appointed the exclusive distribution rights to Zoono Group’s proprietary long-lasting surface protection technology system for use in agriculture, veterinary and animal health. 

Apiam then engaged Iowa State University to commence clinical research while appointing US-based Aurora Pharmaceutical as their American distributor of the product.

With the EPA granting regulatory approval of the Xtend 21® label, Aurora Pharmaceutical will commence distribution of the antimicrobial spray on behalf of Apiam, which is set to transform the US veterinary and animal care industry. 

“We are very pleased that recent tests undertaken, particularly at the highly regarded Iowa State University, have demonstrated that this innovative surface protectant continued to show enhanced surface protection 21 days after application, even when that surface was washed with damp gauze at 7 and 14 days,” said Apiam Managing Director, Dr Chris Richards. 

“This is a first of its kind for the animal sector and we see this as very attractive for customers that face challenges with microbial surface contamination” 

The securing of regulatory approval of Xtend 21® continues valuable progress Apiam is making within the animal health industry as a leader in antimicrobial solutions. With them, it provides livestock farmers, vets and pet owners with a product which can be used in addition to their current disinfectant program to further enhance their hygiene programs. 

Aurora Pharmaceutical CEO and President, Dr Michael Strobel commented “We look forward to launching Xtend 21® Antimicrobial Surface Protectant into the US veterinary and livestock markets to enhance hygiene programs and provide long lasting antimicrobial surface protection.”

“We are also pleased to continue our working relationship with Apiam, who share our strategy of leading the way for evidence-based product innovation to optimise animal health outcomes. We see Xtend 21® as a valuable addition to our portfolio with significant market potential.” 

With the US EPA approving the Xtend 21® label, Aurora Pharmaceutical is now in the process of finalising State approvals which should see sales of Xtend 21® commence from January 2022 through Aurora’s distribution network of more than 10,000 veterinary customers.

The commercialisation of Xtend 21® continues the run of animal health products that have been rolled out by Apiam’s R&D division which last week had a new vaccine approved for cattle to eliminate the Histophilus somni pathogen which can cause high levels of mortality and morbidity in intensively raised cattle.

The division operates independent of Apiam’s regional veterinary clinics but within the Apiam Animal Health Group, which in FY21 generated $126.2m revenue and $5.1m net profit after tax.