Bio-Gene Reports Strong Flavocide Results Against Ticks to Leading US Lyme Disease Conference

Bio-Gene Technology (ASX: BGT) has released new data confirming that its lead compound Flavocide delivers strong activity against ticks responsible for spreading Lyme disease in the United States.

Presented by Purdue University researchers at the International Conference on Lyme Borreliosis and Other Tick-Borne Diseases in Chicago, the findings showed that Flavocide achieved more than 90% mortality of Ixodes scapularis “deer” or “black-legged” tick nymphs within 24 hours.

Importantly, the prototype formulation also displayed residual protection lasting up to four weeks, pointing to a durable solution that could support both public health programs and animal health markets.

Independent Testing Adds Credibility

The Purdue team assessed Flavocide using a new “Phenocosm” assay that replicates natural environments such as mulch, turf, and leaf litter.

By working under conditions that reflected real-world settings – ambient temperatures, moderate pH levels and no harsh additives – the trials demonstrated that the compound can perform strongly without requiring aggressive chemistry.

Researchers found that mortality rates compared favourably to leading commercial products and, in some cases, exceeded them.

The month-long residual activity observed in the trials was also a rare strength for a compound that can be applied under relatively benign conditions.

Bio-Gene believes this combination of efficacy and safety positions Flavocide as a potential tool for integrated tick management strategies, with broad appeal to public health agencies and veterinary markets.

Responding to an Urgent Health Challenge

Tick-borne diseases continue to rise across North America, with Lyme disease at the forefront of concern. The deer tick is the primary vector, and its spread has intensified as warmer conditions and land-use changes extend its habitat.

Existing insecticides have struggled to keep pace, hindered by growing resistance and safety issues.

The US Centers for Disease Control supported the Purdue program through its Midwest Center of Excellence for Vector Borne Disease, underscoring the urgency of finding new solutions.

Bio-Gene sees the opportunity extending beyond public health into companion animals and livestock, markets that also face rising pressure from parasites and a shortage of safe, long-lasting products.

‘Promising Residual Efficacy’

“Tick-borne diseases are a growing public health concern, with Lyme disease cases continuing to rise across the United States, and our research demonstrates that Flavocide shows strong acaricidal activity against the key vector with promising residual efficacy,” professor of entomology at Purdue University, Catherine Hill, said, adding that the findings underlined Flavocide’s potential.

Bio-Gene executive director Peter May said the results reinforce the company’s broader ambitions, noting that Flavocide’s breadth of performance “opens additional pathways in the public health, companion animal, and livestock markets.”

The company intends to build on the Purdue results with further field trials in the US to replicate conditions across different geographies and seasons.

These studies will inform regulatory submissions and provide the foundation for commercial partnerships in both public and animal health sectors.

The company also emphasised the significance of Flavocide’s low impurity profile and environmentally friendly characteristics, which it believes will resonate with regulators and partners seeking safer alternatives to legacy products.