Kemin Industries announced July 14 that it has acquired a U.S. patent application from the Kansas State University Research Foundation for a method to control African swine fever virus (ASFV) in feed and feed ingredients using its Sal CURB Liquid Antimicrobial pathogen control product.

According to Kemin, new data generated by Kansas State University and Dr. Megan Niederwerder demonstrate that the product effectively inactivates ASFV in livestock feed.

The data in support of the patent application was recently published in the journal Transboundary & Emerging Diseases.

Kemin noted that Sal CURB is an antimicrobial solution shown to maintain the salmonella-negative status of complete feeds and feed ingredients for up to 21 days, in addition to controlling mold.

"Protecting the global food supply, ensuring food safety, maintaining biosecurity and transforming the quality of life for those around the world are extremely important to Kemin. This new research helps to address one of the biggest challenges facing the global agriculture industry," Kemin Industries president and chief executive officer Dr. Chris Nelson said. "Sal CURB is a proven solution backed by 25 years of research, innovation and safety. We are thrilled to explore this new application and further invest in solutions that may prevent the transmission of African swine fever virus."

Related:Select feed additives may help mitigate ASF transmission risk

"Our new research reports novel data evaluating the efficacy of feed additives on inactivating ASFV in an in vitro cell culture model and a feed ingredient transoceanic shipment model," Niederwerder said. "This will provide valuable information to the swine industry with regards to mitigating the risk of potential routes for introduction and transmission of ASFV through feed and ingredients."

Kristi Krafka, vice president, regulatory affairs, Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health-North America, said Kemin recognizes that these data have "significant implications and the ability to complement biosecurity measures in the agricultural sector worldwide."

For decades, Kemin has partnered with third-party institutions to further research and provide solutions for important animal production, health and welfare issues. This new development is the result of a years-long relationship between Kemin and the Kansas State University Research Foundation.

Kemin said it anticipates that further data will be generated in support of the patent application.

Kemin told Feedstuffs that the patent application is currently under review at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), and the company is "investing in further research to support this patent application in the United States and globally. We expect this patent to follow the typical review and approval process at the USPTO."