Necessity is the mother of all invention, and seeing an opportunity, Avecho Biotechnology (ASX: AVE) has set about innovating a new livestock feed additive.

The development of a new feed additive for animal use comes in anticipation of the European Union’s impending ban on livestock feeds with zinc oxide levels above a certain level. Zinc is a heavy metal element that serves many biological purposes in livestock including antimicrobial properties and immune system regulation. The impending ban stems from concern around heavy metal accumulation and the potential for antimicrobial resistance in livestock.

Avecho Biotechnology develops and commercialises both human and animal health products using their proprietary drug delivery system called Tocopheryl Phosphate Mixture (TPM®), a compound derived from Vitamin E that can enhance the absorption of drugs and nutrients.

Avecho has demonstrated that the addition of TPM® to feed can improve weight gain and feed conversion ratios in animals.

UK based feed additive company, AB Vista is one of Avecho’s third party partners exploring the application of TPM®and has today announced the expansion of their studies on the compound. Following two years of research the AB Vista has confirmed the performance improvements with livestock feeds containing TPM®.

Pending positive results of the study expansion, AB Vista will look to partner with Avecho to commercialise TPM®within the animal feed market.

Director of R&D at AB Vista, Dr Mike Bedford said: “Opportunities for an ingredient such as TPM® do exist in this sector, but selection for commercialisation will rely on how TPM® performs relative to other agents, both alone and in combination with our other actives. We aim to conclude our studies in time to identify a new product to take to market prior to the June 2022 ban on high zinc oxide dosing.”

There is unlikely to be a single compound to replace zinc in animal feeds however both companies are hopeful to employ a combination approach to work within the new guidelines set by the EU.

AB Vista anticipates gathering enough significant data to make a commercial decision on the inclusion of TPM® in feeds within the next 12 months.