Canadian biotech firm Bioniche Life Sciences Inc. has received full approval to sell its innovative vaccine that stops cattle from shedding the E.coli bacteria that is potentially deadly to humans.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has given full licensing approval to the product, which will be marketed under the name Econiche.
The Belleville, Ont.-based firm has been allowed to distribute the vaccine on a limited basis in Canada since last year, but has been restricted to selling through veterinarians who specifically ask for it. Now, full-scale marketing can begin.
While cows aren't sickened by E.coli, they carry the bacteria in their intestine and excrete it in their manure. When passed to humans, the 0157:H7 strain can cause severe illness, as it did in the May, 2000, outbreak in Walkerton, Ont.
The Bioniche vaccine, when injected into cattle, eliminates most E.coli bacteria from the manure.
Bioniche is still waiting for United States approval of the product.
Bioniche stock jumped by more than 15 per cent in early trading on Monday morning, trading at 48.5 cents a share.