CaribPR Wire

RIVM concludes negligible risk of Oxitec’s Friendly™ Aedes mosquitoes

France’s High Council for Biotechnology also publishes Supportive Position

OXFORD, England, July 12, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ –The National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the Netherlands today published its “Technical evaluation of a potential release of OX513A Aedes aegypti mosquitoes on the island of Saba“, which positively concludes a vector control program using Oxitec’s Friendly™ Aedes aegypti mosquitoes would pose negligible risks to human health and the environment.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150630/227348 )

RIVM’s GMO office undertook its biosafety evaluation of Oxitec’s Friendly™ self-limiting mosquito technology following the guidance for risk assessment of genetically modified animals by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European risk assessment framework, which is considered one of the most robust and thorough biosafety frameworks globally.  Additionally this independent review reflected guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) for testing of genetically modified mosquitoes as well as the Cartagena Protocol on the Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

“We welcome the favorable outcome of the RIVM’s extensive review indicating a positive safety profile of our bio-based mosquito technology,” said Mark Carnegie-Brown Chief Executive Officer at Oxitec. “When combined with our excellent efficacy data, this result points to the significant potential of the Oxitec platform to safely address the growing global challenge from dangerous Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. We are committed to working with regulators worldwide to bring this important technology to market.”

This result reinforces the affirmative biosafety profile of Oxitec’s self-limiting technology for deployment in vector control programs, and also supports the conclusions of environmental assessments conducted elsewhere including from Brazil’s National Technical Commission of Biosafety (CTNBio) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) whose review team consisted of experts from the Center for Veterinary Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Additionally, France’s High Council for Biotechnology (HCB) last month published its supportive position on the use of genetically modified mosquitoes for vector control, following the emergence of mosquito-borne diseases in French overseas territories and perceived threats to metropolitan France. Oxitec has been working closely with the HCB to help inform their evaluation and welcomes HCB’s opinion on self-limiting Aedes aegypti. The HCB opinion will help to shape the policy landscape in France towards the deployment of new tools for vector control, and is a positive step towards advancing Oxitec vector control projects in the French Caribbean.

How Friendly™ Aedes works

Oxitec has been working in Aedes aegypti control for over a decade and pioneered the use of a biological method to suppress wild populations of this dangerous mosquito species through the release of Friendly™ Aedes males, which do not bite and do not transmit diseases. When released, these males search for wild females to mate, and their offspring inherit a self-limiting gene that causes them to die before reaching functional adulthood.  Friendly™ Aedes’ offspring also inherit a fluorescent marker that allows tracking and monitoring at a level never before achieved, making the assessment of effectiveness more accurate throughout the whole Friendly™ Aedes deployment program. Unlike other approaches, Friendly™ Aedes mosquitoes die along with their offspring, and therefore do not persist in the environment or leave any ecological footprint.

About Oxitec

Oxitec is a pioneer in using genetic engineering to control insect pests that spread disease and damage crops, and was founded in 2002 as a spinout from Oxford University (UK). Oxitec is a subsidiary of Intrexon Corporation (NYSE: XON), which engineers biology to help solve some of the world’s biggest problems.  Follow us on Twitter at @Oxitec.

OXFORD, United Kingdom, Aug. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The US Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM) today published a final finding of no significant impact (FONSI) and final environmental assessment (EA) on Oxitec’s self-limiting OX513A Aedes aegypti mosquito for an investigational trial in the Florida Keys.  The finding concludes that a field trial of the Company’s genetically engineered (GE) OX513A mosquitoes in Key Haven, Florida, will not result in a significant impact on the environment.

The publication of the final FONSI and EA follows an FDA-led evaluation of potential impacts on health and the environment of the proposed trial. This culminated in the publication of a preliminary FONSI in March 2016, after which there was a period of public comment. These public comments were reviewed by the FDA-led team before the final documents were published today.

Oxitec’s Chief Executive Officer Hadyn Parry said, “We’ve been developing this approach for many years, and from these results we are convinced that our solution is both highly effective and has sound environmental credentials. We’re delighted with the announcement today that the FDA, after their extensive review of our dossier and thousands of public comments for a trial in the Florida Keys, have published their final view that this will not have a significant impact on the environment. We are now looking forward to working with the community in the Florida Keys moving forward.”

The purpose of the proposed trial is to determine the efficacy of Oxitec’s self-limiting mosquitoes for the control of the local population of Aedes aegypti in Key Haven, Monroe County, Florida.

Oxitec’s self-limiting mosquitoes have been genetically engineered so that their offspring die before reaching adulthood. Male Oxitec mosquitoes, which do not bite or spread disease, are released to mate with wild female Aedes aegypti so that their offspring die, reducing the population. Efficacy trials in Brazil, Panama, and the Cayman Islands have tested this approach, and in each of these trials the population of Aedes aegypti was reduced by more than 90% – an exceptional level of control compared to conventional methods, such as insecticides.

The FDA review team consisted of experts from the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The FDA led an extensive review of evidence from trials in urban environments performed in Brazil and the Cayman Islands since 2009, and data from numerous safety studies, site inspections and independent experts.

For more information:

Oxitec Florida Keys Project FAQ: http://www.oxitec.com/health/florida-keys-project/

Florida Keys Mosquito Control District: http://keysmosquito.org/latest-gm-information/

About Oxitec

Oxitec is a pioneer in using genetic engineering to control insect pests that spread disease and damage crops, and was founded in 2002 as a spinout from Oxford University (UK). Oxitec is a subsidiary of Intrexon Corporation (NYSE: XON), which engineers biology to help solve some of the world’s biggest problems.

Oxitec Contact:
Matthew Warren
Press Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 1865 832 393
[email protected]

For Immediate Release

CaribPR Wire, Lakeland, FL, Weds. Feb. 3, 2016: In light of the spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, Caribbean and Latin America hospitality venues are looking to protect their guests from the Aedes mosquito and other biting pests.  Golf Ventures recommends using the revolutionary “Mosquito Magician” to create a barrier against mosquitoes and minimize risks to their customers.

Mosquito Magician is a biodegradable and environmentally friendly, all natural insect control.  The product contains six different active ingredients: essential oils of cedar, citronella, lemon grass, garlic, geraniol and rosemary.  It’s been proven to create an invisible barrier against mosquitoes,  flies, palmetto bugs, no-see-ums, fleas, ticks, gnats, ants, spiders, chiggers and other pests using 100 percent natural plant oils.  The product is super concentrated – one gallon of Mosquito Magician makes 32 gallons of potent repellent, and treats up to 128,000 sq. ft.   Because of its all natural ingredients, the product is safe for guests and wildlife.

Scott Jones, International Sales Manager for Golf Ventures, said: “This environmentally-safe product can be applied by hand held sprayers or by automated irrigation systems. Unlike systems that attempt to eradicate pests, Mosquito Magician creates a barrier that repels them from the property.”

Golf Ventures has also found it to be an economical product for their customers. “We partner with clients to protect their property and their budget,” said Jones.

Peter Olt, Sprinkler Magician’s CEO and product inventor, said: “Mosquito Magician 100% Natural Concentrate drives out mosquitoes and other biting pests but is safe for your kids and pets. Mosquitoes are known to carry serious diseases like Zika, malaria and many others. With Sprinkler Magician you have a 100% natural way of creating a bubble around your property so that guests may enjoy the outdoors.”

The Zika virus is caused by the Aedes mosquito and presents flu-like symptoms in those infected. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel alert over the virus, warning pregnant women to avoid travel to 14 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Jones said Caribbean and Central American resorts can take a proactive approach to combating the problem with the Sprinkler Magician system. “Resorts using this system will have a competitive advantage, because Mosquito Magician’s invisible barrier can safely protect guests and their families from mosquitoes carrying the Zika Virus. We at Golf Ventures want to help them be successful,” said Jones.

Olt noted the company’s confidence in the Mosquito Magician product by offering a warranty that states: “Within 30 days of purchase if you are not satisfied with the effectiveness of our product, mail us proof of purchase and the unused portion of this product to obtain a full refund of your purchase price.”

Golf Ventures distributes a full line of both Mosquito Magician Concentrate and Mosquito Magician Systems (for automated distribution through existing sprinkler systems) throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, and South America.  For more information, visit www.golfventures.com.

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Golf Ventures International “GVI” is the Caribbean and Central America’s complete turf maintenance supply company for the hospitality and sports turf industries.  As the exclusive distributor of Helena brand plant protectants and fertility products, and working with select specialty product companies, GVI ensures customers receive the best possible service and agronomic support. GVI understands that each resort, golf course and turf area is unique and provides programmed, personalized service. GVI partners with superintendents and landscape managers to identify issues and prescribe the most timely and cost-effective solutions. Find us at golfventures.com.

CONTACT:

Scott Jones

International Territory Manager
Golf Ventures International
863-665-5800