AgriPhage™-Fire Blight and AgriPhage™-Citrus Canker Approved for Use to Control Bacterial Disease in Citrus and Pome Fruit
October 9, 2018
SALT LAKE CITY & COLUMBIA, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–OmniLytics,
Inc. announces today that the EPA has approved two new bacteriophage
products, AgriPhage™-Fire Blight and AgriPhage™-Citrus Canker, for the
control of their namesake diseases. Certis
USA, OmniLytics’ marketing partner in the U.S., will launch these
products in 2019 for use by growers of apple, pear and citrus crops.
Both AgriPhage products are based on bacteriophages (“bacteria eaters”),
naturally occurring organisms that infect and kill only targeted
bacteria. Phage treatment is a unique mode of action presenting a highly
desirable option for management of bacterial diseases of crop
plants. The surgical precision with which bacteriophages target only
their host bacteria presents extremely low risk to users, beneficial
species and the environment. Additionally, bacteria that have developed
resistance to antibiotics, copper or other bactericides remain
susceptible to bacteriophage infection. AgriPhage products are exempt
from residue tolerance and Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), have only a
4-hour re-entry interval (REI) for farm workers, and are NOP approved
for use in organic agriculture. Certis USA already markets AgriPhage
products from OmniLytics for control of bacterial diseases of
tomatoes and peppers.
Ryan Benson, Director of U.S. Sales and Marketing for OmniLytics, said,
“We’re very excited to offer these two new products to help pome fruit
growers and citrus growers prevent and control these devastating
diseases while reducing the use of traditional antibiotics. As the
world’s leading provider of agricultural bacteriophage treatments, we
feel a duty to provide the grower community with a safe, organic and
effective tool to fight bacterial disease.”
Dr. Michael Dimock, Certis Vice President of Field Development, said,
“The advent of phage therapy for fire blight in apples and pears is
especially timely. The use of antibiotics against this disease has come
under increased pressure due to resistance in the causal bacterium (Erwinia
amylovora) and global movement to restrict or reduce use of
antibiotics in crop protection. While these AgriPhage products can
perform as stand-alone blight or canker treatments, the long-term value
to citrus and pome fruit growers is their utility in resistance
management programs to extend the effectiveness of antibiotics and other
tactics. We are excited at the opportunity to integrate AgriPhage into
programs with our other management tools Double Nickel®, Cueva®,
LifeGard® and Kocide®-O targeting these diseases at different stages of
crop development.”
About OmniLytics
OmniLytics, Inc. is a biotech company that is pioneering the research
and development of bacteriophage solutions for the control of pathogenic
diseases that affect the agricultural, food safety and animal health
markets. OmniLytics seeks to change the way the world treats bacterial
diseases. Located in Sandy, Utah, OmniLytics is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Phagelux, Inc., headquartered in Shanghai, China. For more
information on Phagelux, Inc. and OmyniLytics, Inc. please visit www.phagelux.com
and www.omnilytics.com.
About Certis USA
Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Certis USA is a leading
manufacturer and distributor of a broad line of biopesticide products
for specialty agricultural and horticultural markets and the home and
garden market. Certis USA products provide valuable solutions by meeting
the challenges faced by today’s growers who are seeking sustainable
alternatives, resistant pest management and harvest solutions, as well
as low pesticide residues for market flexibility and export
accessibility. For more information about Certis USA or its products,
please visit www.certisusa.com.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Gillham & Associates Marketing Communications
Felicia
Gillham, 619-482-8820
Cell: 619-341-3054
fgillham@gillham-associates.com