KEEGO HARBOR, Mich., April 18, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the nine months since the last shareholder meeting in late June of 2015, Zivo Bioscience (OTCQB:ZIVO) has continued to focus almost exclusively on dairy cow applications for its proprietary algal biomass, extracts and any high-value bioactive compounds thereof, while developing the business case and production scale-up to cultivate and productize that algal biomass.
Despite funding challenges, the R&D team was able to move forward on several fronts in fall of 2015 and early 2016, among them contracting the University of Georgia’s Center for Complex Carbohydrate Research to conduct analysis of the supernatant and cell extractions. Also, the National Food Laboratory was contracted to conduct nutritional profiles of the algal biomass, while Greenwater Laboratories handled preliminary toxicological analyses. The testing was conducted as part of the information required for FDA compliance as a feed/food ingredient.
From a nutritional perspective, the results are compelling: the ZIVO strain has more protein than kale, more micronutrients than many vegetable greens, plenty of bioavailable vitamin A and is nearly odorless and tasteless – a flexible source of healthy, plant-based protein that can find its way into many different feeds, foods and beverages.
The Company’s near-term objective is to finalize its compliance efforts, to include extensive documentation of the production process at commercial scale, which is now underway at a facility in Vero Beach, Florida. Construction of covered raceway ponds is nearly complete, and the algal feedstock from the Arizona Center for Algae Technology & Innovation (AzCATI) has been successfully introduced and grown in smaller 1,000L ponds on-site at Vero Beach in preparation for transfer to the larger 40,000L covered ponds in late April.
Once harvested, the algal biomass is freeze-dried and then processed into a feed pellet. The Company will begin in vivo safety testing of the feed pellet once enough biomass is harvested to support a large animal study. Tentatively, the start of an in vivo safety study is scheduled for early June, based on projected volumes of biomass produced at the Vero Beach facility. The results of this first safety study are applicable to both animal and human applications.
The WellMetris LLC affiliate has had its funding challenges, as well. However, forward progress has been made, as the WellMetris science team in the South Bend laboratory located at the University of Notre Dame campus has conducted several production runs of the wellness panel chemistry, and standards testing to confirm sensitivity, error rates and stability of the assays. Beginning in January, benchtop testing was also conducted on 25 beta-stage analyzers to make sure they met sensitivity and error rate goals. In early April, the 3D models for the sample collection device were finalized.
WellMetris is planning to conduct market research in May to test the waters for a consumer version of its metabolic analyzer based on positive early reaction from personal health/nutrition marketers that were approached by the Company with its small, smartphone-enabled analyzer and mobile application. The WellMetris affiliate recently hired Regulatory Affairs Associates to conduct a review of its regulatory strategy relative to a consumer personal health/nutrition version of the analyzer platform and to assist in the preparation of appropriate documentation and filings.
About ZIVO Bioscience, Inc.
ZIVO Bioscience, Inc. (OTCQB:ZIVO) is a Michigan-based biotech company engaged in the investigation of the health benefits of bioactive compounds derived from its proprietary algal cultures, and the development of natural bioactive compounds for use as dietary supplements and food ingredients, as well as biologically derived and synthetic candidates for medicinal and pharmaceutical applications in humans and animals, specifically focused on autoimmune and inflammatory response modulation.
About WellMetris, LLC
WellMetris, LLC is a Michigan-based biomed company engaged in the development of metabolic testing platforms to measure and monitor health and productivity in humans and animals utilizing its proprietary wellness panel, analyzer and analytic software.
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