Neogen licenses innovative SenesTech rodent control technology

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Jun 16, 2014, 08:45 ET

LANSING, Mich., June 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Neogen Corporation (Nasdaq: NEOG) announced today that it has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with SenesTech, Inc., to manufacture and market a rodent control product that uses fertility control to manage rat populations.

The innovative product would complement Neogen's existing portfolio of rodenticides. With the new technology, chronic rat infestations could be managed using a combination of currently existing rodenticides to provide an initial short-term drop in population, followed by the use of the fertility control product to manage the population over the longer term. Neogen expects to develop a market-ready product within a year. The new rodent control technology also requires registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; that registration is expected in 2014.

"SenesTech has had very promising results from extensive field studies, including one in New York's Subway Transit System," said Terri Morrical, Neogen's vice president of Animal Safety. "The technology represents a much different approach to rodent control than traditional rodenticides, which are intended to directly kill rodents. SenesTech's technology induces early menopause in female rats, disrupting the reproductive cycle with very little environmental impact. It represents a very useful tool in the battle to control rodent populations, especially in areas that have proven to be resistant to traditional rodent control methods."

SenesTech believes its technology is the first of its kind. The technology is based on the development of species-specific protocols to chemically accelerate senescence, or premature aging. A single female rat can have up to 144 offspring in a year.

"We selected Neogen as the right partner for us because of their vision and desire to introduce a new tool that is environmentally friendly and sustainable in the pest management industry," said Dr. Loretta Mayer, SenesTech's co-founder and chief scientific officer. "Neogen is the right partner for SenesTech in terms of their size, their presence in the market, and their commitment to innovation."

Neogen Corporation develops and markets products dedicated to food and animal safety. The company's Food Safety Division markets dehydrated culture media, and diagnostic test kits to detect foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, food allergens, drug residues, plant diseases and sanitation concerns. Neogen's Animal Safety Division is a leader in the development of animal genomics along with the manufacturing and distribution of a variety of animal healthcare products, including diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, veterinary instruments, wound care and disinfectants.