Bioniche Life Sciences Inc, a fully-integrated human and animal health biopharmaceutical company, released the results of a pilot research study in Argentina using a preparation of its proprietary Mycobacterial Cell Wall Extract to treat endometritis in horses. Dr. Elida Fumuso of UNICEN in Tandil, Argentina, presented the results at the 6th International Symposium on Equine Embryo Transfer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Endometritis is a non-life threatening disease that affects 25 per cent to 30 per cent of broodmares worldwide. The disease results in low conception rates or loss of pregnancies if conception occurs. If not successfully treated during the acute phase (conventional treatment involves intrauterine or intravenous antibiotics for three to four consecutive days), the original infection can result in a chronic, degenerative inflammatory condition compromising future fertility and requiring a laborious and costly battery of treatments.

The study was conducted in March. It involved 30 mares, 10 of which were given a placebo with the remainder given the Bioniche formulation (10 intrauterine; 10 intravenous). The treatment had a 75 per cent efficacy rate, resulting in faster recovery from post-partum infections in mares at foal heat and in the elimination of contaminating bacteria in infected barren mares. In both cases, the mares experienced improved fertility and higher pregnancy rates, release from Bioniche said.

"These are excellent results," said Dr. Dragan Rogan, vice-president of Research and Development at Bioniche Animal Health, a Division of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. "Endometritis in horses is a common problem in the equine industry which has resulted over the years in expensive, often repeated antibiotic use," he added.

Graeme McRae, president & CEO of Bioniche Life Sciences Inc said, "Our formulation appears to boost the horse's own immune system, enabling it to fight disease naturally."

Endometritis is a serious concern for breeders, often resulting in economic losses from therapies, repeated inseminations, and low foaling rates. The market potential for an alternative treatment to antibiotics is estimated at US $26 million in North America and the European Union alone.

The study results will also be presented next week at the International Congress of Animal Reproduction in Porto Seguro, Brazil.