Photo: AdobeStock, Evolva License
Reinach, August 10, 2020 – Evolva, the Swiss biotech company, announced today that NootkaShield™ (branded nootkatone), for use in insecticides and insect repellents, is now registered as an active ingredient with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Nootkatone can now be used to develop new insect repellents and insecticides for protecting people. Evolva is in discussion with a growing number of pest control companies to plan commercial next steps in order to expedite the development and marketing of new consumer products. In line with this, we are also investing in the development and registration of own formulations. Evolva as well as companies interested in developing their own consumer products will be required to submit a registration package (efficacy, safety and product characterization) to EPA for review, and products could be commercially available as early as 2022.
In 2014 Evolva started to work with the support of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation’s health protection agency, on research and development of nootkatone. In 2017, Evolva received a contract from the Department of Health and Human Services Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to develop a next-generation active ingredient for use in insecticides and insect repellents to protect people. Evolva has a long-standing commitment to advancing research across a broad range of areas that accelerate the development of ingredients based on nature.
“NootkaShield™ is another example of our innovative power. At Evolva we’ll continue to develop new solutions that address customer and consumers’ needs around the world and can contribute to health and wellbeing” said Oliver Walker, CEO of Evolva.
Mosquito- and tickborne diseases are a growing threat in every US state and territory. The number of reported cases of mosquito- and tickborne diseases doubled from 2004-2018. Tickborne diseases represent almost eight in 10 of all reported vector-borne disease cases in the United States. Increasing risk from these diseases means increasing demands on federal, state, and local health departments and vector control agencies.
“We are deeply concerned about the increasing threat of mosquito-and tick-borne diseases,” said Ben Beard, Ph.D., deputy director of CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases. In today’s world, more people are at risk of becoming ill from a greater number of diseases over a widening geographic area. We need new tools, like nootkatone, to control mosquitoes and ticks and protect people`s health.”
About Nootkatone
Nootkatone is an ingredient found in minute quantities in the bark of the Alaska yellow cedar (also known as the Nootka cypress) and in the skin of grapefruit. Nootkatone has been tested against a variety of biting pests, including the ticks that are responsible for spreading Lyme disease and the mosquitoes that spread like Zika, chikungunya, dengue and West Nile viruses.
About Evolva
Evolva is a Swiss biotech company focused on the research, development and commercialization of ingredients based on nature. We have leading businesses in Flavors and Fragrances, Health Ingredients and Health Protection. Evolva’s employees, half of which are women, are dedicated to make the best products that can contribute to health, wellbeing and sensory enjoyment. Find out more at evolva.com. For Evolva multimedia content, please visit: evolva.com/multimedia-library.
Disclaimer
This press release contains specific forward-looking statements, e.g. statements including terms like believe, assume, expect or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may result in a substantial divergence between the actual results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and those explicitly or implicitly presumed in these statements. Against the background of these uncertainties readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The company assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or developments.
Contact
Barbara Duci
Head of Investor and Corporate Relations
+41 61 485 2003
+41 79 739 2636
barbarad@evolva.com