HUMAN
Head Lice: After the common cold, infestation by head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis, is the second most common communicable condition in humans. This worldwide problem is on the rise, especially among primary (elementary) school children, with more children infested each year and the lice becoming more difficult to control.

One of the major causes for this problem is the lack of efficacy of the current treatment options.  Commercially available insecticides continue to be used with only partial success and this has been attributed to their limited ovicidal (egg killing) efficacy and to resistance.  Eggs and lice survive insecticide treatment to then continue the infestation.

With some of the safer products having an efficacy as low as 60%, the market for head lice pesticides has been driven towards toxic products such as organophosphates and organochlorines. Organochlorines have recently been banned as unsafe by the US EPA but still used to control head lice on childrens' heads. Dissatisfied consumers in Europe have turned to 'alternative' products with unproven efficacy or safety such as essential oils and lubricants.

Hatchtech is aiming to reverse this trend and revitalize the market with the introduction of its safe and effective, DeOvo™ product for the control of nits. Failure to kill lice eggs or nits is one of the main causes of treatment failure, leading to the costly and potentially harmful cycle of re-treatment. Intractable lice infestation also causes frustration, embarrassment, and schooling disruption.

The global market for registered human lousicides currently stands at over US$200M, with perhaps as much again in sales of 'alternative' treatments. Hatchtech aims to access a large share of this market via strategic partnering.

DeOvo™ is currently (Dec 2008) entering Phase II clinical trials and has an open Investigational New Drug file with the US Food and Drug Administration.

Hatchtech is seeking interested parties as commercial partners to take DeOvo to market in major global markets.

VETERINARY
Insects & Mites: The global veterinary product market is valued at approximately US$13.4B with parasite control a large portion of this. The three largest veterinary products globally are parasiticides and the number one animal health product is an insecticide for flea control on pets.

Hatchtech offers novel methods of parasite control for pets and livestock.
Hatchtech has demonstrated proof of principle for flea and louse control – markets with aggregate sales of over US$2B.

Nematode Worms: In addition Hatchtech has demonstrated the ability to control nematode worms, important parasites of animals, man and crops, at both the egg and larval stages of their life cycles.

Hatchtech is seeking commercial partners and collaborators to jointly develop these high potential applications and products.