BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI--(Marketwired - Apr 19, 2013) - Michigan-based natural products developer Health Enhancement Products (
Bovine mastitis is the dairy industry's No. 1 health and productivity issue, costing American dairy producers nearly $3 billion annually in lost milk production and averaging roughly 840 pounds per cow in substandard milk that must be discarded each year. The problem is widespread, affecting more than 10% of the nearly 244 million dairy cows worldwide. Current treatments consist primarily of antibiotics, which require that milk is withheld from the market and discarded for up to 7 days after treatment. New FDA/USDA draft guidance suggests that additional restrictions may be placed on the use of antibiotics in dairy cows, threatening to raise milk prices.
The in vitro test results for bovine mastitis show statistically significant results in the inhibition of TNF-a and Interleukin 1-b, as well as up-regulation of serum amyloid A -- an acute phase protein secreted by the mammary gland. Positive results were also achieved for lactoferrin, a protein that inhibits the ability for bacteria to adhere to epithelial cells. And probably most significantly, test samples successfully suppressed the activity of Streptococcus uberis, a common pathogen associated with bovine mastitis. Dr. Hernandez and her colleagues will be releasing their own report shortly.
These test results also mark a significant departure from previous testing, because most of the samples were created from individual algal species isolated from the Company's proprietary algal co-culture. This opens the door for scale-up and high volume production, because greater biomass can be achieved more quickly and more consistently with a simplified growing method, which in turn points to a commercially viable product for both human and animal consumption. Company principals are now conducting additional anti-inflammatory/autoimmune modulation tests using human and canine in vitro assays.
In an unrelated development, the Company has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Essex Angel Capital to acquire the assets of Wellness Indicators, Inc., a developer of anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress urine tests. Details of the transaction will be announced in the coming weeks.
About Health Enhancement Products, Inc.
Health Enhancement Products, Inc. (
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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.