TyraTech secures major distribution deal for livestock insect control

TyraTech will launch its new range of agricultural insect-control products into the US poultry market before the end of the current quarter, with a distribution agreement signed with a major player.

The PureScience range, which provide non-toxic insect control in livestock and production animal facilities, will be distributed in the US by MWI Animal Health, a Nasdaq-listed animal health distribution specialist.

PureScience products have powerful natural insecticidal properties, which AIM-listed TyraTech designed using its expertise in plant-derived essential oils, with the launched coming at a time when existing synthetic-based insecticides are suffering from increasing levels of resistance and regulatory pressure.

The new product line will be expanded from poultry to swine, dairy/beef and cow/calf operations over time.

MWI's technical support team includes entomologists that help customers implement "customized integrated pest management programs", ensuring better efficacy.

The global market for insect control in food production premises is estimated to be worth in excess of $800m, the company said, and is rapidly expanding with the intensification of animal protein production.

"PureScience represents a significant first step into the animal health market and the partnership with MWI will allow us to expand further in the coming years," said chief executive Bruno Jactel.

He said in the coming year TyraTech planned to establish a new animal health franchise, spearheaded by the PureScience range.

Shares in the company were up 13% to 3.25p by 1015 GMT on Wednesday.