Innovative Reproductive Technologies LLC (IRT), a family-owned business in Northfield, Minn., and Medi-Nova di Melli Paola & C. S.A.S., a family-owned business located in Reggio Emilia, Italy, announced jointly that they have entered into an agreement whereby IRT will be the exclusive distributor of Medi-Nova products in North America.

"It has been very clear, especially during 2015, that the U.S. pork industry needs more reliable options in the area of semen extenders," IRT founder Dr. Neil DeBuse said. "The biological advantage of the new extenders from Medi-Nova makes a perfect fit in the North American market. (We) are very excited that IRT will be able to bring this innovation in reproductive biotechnology to the North American market.”

Formula, a new product originating from Medi-Nova’s research and development efforts with The University of Parma in Italy, is designed with a modulated energy formula that allows the product to combat bacterial contamination and provide a high degree of protection against bacteria without exclusively relying on antibiotic compounds. Formula passed a specific testing protocol by IRT during 2015 in farms in North America to confirm its effectiveness.

Based on the initial data and research from Medi-Nova in Italy, the product has been introduced into the North American market under the exclusive distribution agreement completed in December.

DeBuse said, “We are extremely excited about the Formula product and all of the experience of Medi-Nova in this area. I believe that this product will greatly improve technical results in pig breeding in North America, but more importantly, the technology matches the direction we are moving to reduce our over-reliance on antibiotic compounds in the North American market, and for that reason, the product is a win-win proposition."

Medi-Nova is a market leader in the Italian pork production industry, specializing in diluents for fresh boar semen since 1996.

Medi-Nova general manager Paola Melli explained, “As a company, we are always looking to the future with ideas of new developments and searching for innovative solutions related to the swine reproduction. After four years of development and trials, we are proud and excited about our innovative extender line — Formula — based on low antibiotic content and a new way to provided energy to the spermatozoa. At the same time, the opportunity to work with Innovative Reproductive Technologies is a wonderful next step to springboard the product of our hard work and research into an important market like North America."

IRT was founded in 2012 by Neil and Teri DeBuse. Neil DeBuse started the Minnesota Swine Reproduction Center veterinary consulting firm in Northfield. In the last seven years, IRT has led the implementation of post-cervical artificial insemination (PCAI) technology, a new technique in pig breeding, and is the North American market share leader in PCAI expertise.