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>>> SenesTech Maps Out Regulatory Path with EPA for ContraPest® Enhancements


June 4, 2018



https://www.marketwatch.com/story/senestech-maps-out-regulatory-path-with-epa-for-contrapest-enhancements-2018-06-04?siteid=bigcharts&dist=bigcharts



FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., June 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SenesTech, Inc. SNES, +2.44% a developer of proprietary technologies for managing animal pest populations through fertility control, today announced that it had successfully completed pivotal meetings with the EPA to address planned label improvements and product enhancements to ContraPest [®] .

"As we have always shared, our ContraPest EPA label is dynamic. As we increase product use and additional studies have been completed, our label expands. In our recent meetings, we have confirmed a clear path for the label, product, and use improvements to ContraPest that we have been asked to consider by our customers. We should be able to make rapid progress," said Dr. Loretta P. Mayer, co-Founder and CEO of SenesTech. "These enhancements open up the entire billion dollar market to us for rodent pest control products and will facilitate an easier sales process for us to our customer base."

"Many of these enhancements and improvements come directly from our pest management professional (PMP) customers, of how they would like to see ContraPest evolve, and what they need from us to increase deployment of ContraPest in their business," said Tom Chesterman, EVP and CFO for SenesTech. "As we have talked about before, our customers have asked for, among other things: removal of the restricted use classification, an expanded set of bait station options, non-liquid formulations for special circumstances, and the addition of mice as a target species to the label. We have clear guidance on exactly how to address each of these."

Restricted Use

ContraPest is a "Restricted Use" product (RUP) due to the need for applicator expertise. This designation means that a PMP must, in many states, be specially licensed for restricted use products, and is subject to additional regulation.


"Based on the acute toxicity data submitted last year and its status as a non-lethal product, we will work with the EPA on the RUP designation, much as we did previously when the EPA recognized the lower risk of handler exposure and reduced the label warnings. This should be a relatively rapid process," said Dr. Mayer.

"We have found resistance from some PMPs who are initially unable or unwilling to deploy Restricted Use products as a matter of policy and practice. Removing this designation will greatly improve our market acceptance immediately. It is the number one request of our PMP customer base," said Joe Malinowski, VP of Sales. "With the removal of 'Restricted Use' labeling, we believe this distinction will enable an easier sales process and broader market acceptance of our product."

Bait Stations

ContraPest is designed and manufactured to be deployed in an industry-standard bait box, the JT Eaton 903TP.

"While standard, this bait box is not the most common bait box used. Many PMPs and distributors do not stock or deploy with the JT Eaton 903TP. Having ContraPest in a delivery format configuration that fits additional bait box options greatly expands the useability of ContraPest by PMPs," continued Mr. Malinowski. "We notified the EPA at our meeting of a bait delivery configuration that will fit inside the Bell Labs PROTECTA EVO Express. The system should be available this Fall."

Non-Liquid Formulations

ContraPest is delivered in a liquid formulation, which makes it more palatable to rats, who must consume up to 10% of their body weight in water per day. This makes it an attractive and effective formulation under most circumstances.

"There are certain applications where a non-liquid formulation would be preferable. For example, in settings where bait must be dropped from the air, such as remote island locations and steep terrain, a non-liquid formulation is necessary. We have been working with a natural resources program in Hawaii on this and have been approached by conservation agencies and groups who would like to deploy ContraPest in environmentally sensitive regions. We hope to be able to provide such a formulation to meet these needs by late next summer prior to rodent infestation season in Hawaii," said Dr. Mayer.

Mice

ContraPest is currently approved for use in controlling rat infestations. This is the largest and most serious rodent pest control challenge. The treatment of infestations by mice, however, is nearly an equal challenge.

"We have begun to collect the data necessary to show ContraPest's efficacy on mice. We intend to use the same, EPA-approved active ingredients in a way which should greatly streamline the review and approval process," continued Dr. Mayer.

About SenesTech

SenesTech is changing the paradigm of pest management by targeting the root cause of the problem: reproduction.

ContraPest [®] is an innovative technology that targets the reproductive capabilities of Norway and roof rats. As a highly palatable liquid, the formulation promotes sustained consumption, helping to reduce fertility in both male and female rats, bringing populations down and keeping them down. Our delivery system is designed to minimize handler exposure, and ContraPest is dispensed inside tamper resistant bait stations, minimizing the risks to non-target species.

As a versatile tool, ContraPest can be used within Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs to help reduce reproduction and magnify the success of IPM protocols or as a standalone, non-lethal solution for customers that are looking to reduce or eliminate the use of lethal methodologies.

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