FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LIBERTYVILLE, IL., October 9, 2009 – A biological insecticide introduced this year by Valent BioSciences Corporation is a finalist in two programs designed to recognize innovative new products.
VectoMax® Biological Larvicide, used by public health agencies to control nuisance and disease carrying mosquitoes, has earned accolades in competitions in Chicago and the United Kingdom.
The product is a finalist for the Innovation in Non-Crop category award to be presented in November by London-based Agrow, a leading information provider for the global crop protection industry. The award is aimed outside the traditional crop protection arena to the expanding non-food crop sector. Among other finalists in the category are Dow AgroSciences and DuPont Professional Products.
VectoMax Biological Larvicide also is a finalist in the Chicago Innovation Award program. The Chicago Innovation Awards bring attention to the locally developed product and service innovations that are making an impact on the world. Awards will be presented October 20.
About the Product
VectoMax Biological Larvicide contains two naturally occurring bacteria -Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), and Bacillus sphaericus (Bs). Each is long known to control all mosquito pest species.
The key to providing broad spectrum, long-lasting mosquito control lies within company’s proprietary BioFuseTM Technology that combines the Bti and Bs protoxins into single particles during the manufacturing process. VectoMax Biological Larvicide works when it is applied to bodies of water that contain mosquito larvae. VectoMax Biological Larvicide is ingested by the hungry larvae, quickly activated in the larval gut, and causes mortality within 24 hours.
The Bti and Bs bacteria particle does not adversely affect populations of other organisms including fish, plants or humans. By combining the two bacteria into a single food particle for mosquito larvae, control program managers can reduce the expense associated with multiple applications of pesticides. By killing the larvae, VectoMax Biological Larvicide prevents them from developing into free-flying adult mosquitoes, which are capable of transmitting disease or causing a biting nuisance.
About Valent BioSciences Corporation
About Valent BioSciences Corporation: Headquartered in Libertyville, IL, Valent BioSciences is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sumitomo Chemical Company. Valent BioSciences is the worldwide leader in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of biorational products, with sales in 95 countries around the world. Valent BioSciences is an ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company. For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.valentbiosciences.com.
Media Contact:
Barbara Wendling
Valent BioSciences Corporation
847-968-4793
Email: barbara.wendling@valentbiosciences.com