12/26/05 Bacterio phages

American Rancher December 26, 2005 Ganagen Life Sciences Inc, a developer of anti-infective therapeutics for the control of disease causing bacteria, recently announced the signing of a collaborative agreement with Elanco Animal Health, part of Eli Lilly, to develop anti-bacterial products derived from bacteriophages or phages. Phages are naturally occurring agents that target and destroy bacteria selectively without affecting beneficial bacteria. Rainer Engelhardt, CEO of Ganagen Life Sciences, says the first collaborative focus with Elanco is on phages for control of E coli 0157;H7 in cattle. Engelhardt: "It's a real validation that a big pharma company, a multi-national pharma company like Eli Lilly, is in itself is one, deciding that alternatives to antibiotics are needed. I think we all know that. But that phages in particular are a promising alternative. And that is I think of testimonial value to the concept." Engelhardt says they hope to begin regulatory trials early next year of a product that would be mixed in cattle feed prior to slaughter to control E coli. Engelhardt: "They can be processed along with regular cattle feed. Basically it fits in with the normal feeding, handling and management practice of a feedlot. And that was really a very important element for our development." Engelhardt says they hope to have a commercial product on the market in two years. I'm Bob Hoff.