Evolva Expanding Its nootkatone Research with CDC to Include Mosquitoes That Transmit Zika and Other Viruses

Data show potential for nootkatone to kill and repel mosquitoes that
transmit Zika

REINACH, Switzerland–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Evolva (SIX:EVE) announces that it is expanding its current work
with the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to research nootkatone’s
effectiveness in tick-control to include an additional focus on
mosquitoes, including those that transmit Zika, chikungunya, dengue, and
West Nile viruses. CDC research has shown nootkatone both repels and
kills the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and the
black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis which transmits Lyme disease.

Nootkatone can be extracted in minute quantities from the skin of
grapefruit or the bark of the Alaska yellow cedar (also known as the Nootka
cypress), or produced on an industrial scale from brewing via yeast
fermentation. Evolva and the CDC are partners in the co-development of
insect control products containing nootkatone based on Evolva
fermentation technology. Nootkatone has potential for use against
some of the most important arthropod vectors of human pathogens,
including Ixodes tick vectors of Lyme disease and Aedes
mosquito vectors of chikungunya, dengue, and Zika viruses.

Evolva is currently performing all necessary safety and efficacy studies
to get nootkatone
approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency initially as a
repellent against the blacklegged tick, mosquitos and other target
insects in the USA. Evolva is also investigating other geographies.

Evolva began assessing nootkatone’s ability to repel and/or kill the Aedes
aegypti mosquito, the main mosquito vector responsible for the
spread of Zika virus, when the global public health community, led by
the World Health Organisation (WHO), sounded the alarm about the spread
and impact of Zika virus. The WHO
has since declared Zika virus a global public health emergency.
Preliminary studies on nootktatone have been conducted in the US and
Europe. Further confirmatory studies will soon be underway in the US.

Nootkatone appears to have a mode of action distinct from that of
currently used pesticides and therefore could potentially be valuable
for mitigating pesticide resistance in mosquito vectors. Nootkatone
already occurs in the natural environment and has an established track
record as a flavor and fragrance ingredient, providing attractive
characteristics in a number of respects.

“In addition to the ticks that transmit Lyme disease, we believe that
nootkatone could play an important role in the global response to the
spread of Zika virus,” said Evolva CEO Neil Goldsmith. “We look
forward to an expanded partnership with US government health
authorities.”

About Evolva

Evolva is a pioneer and global leader in sustainable, fermentation-based
approaches to ingredients for health, wellness and nutrition. Evolva’s
products include stevia, resveratrol, vanillin, nootkatone and
saffron. As well as developing its own proprietary ingredients, Evolva
also deploys its technology for partners, providing them with a
competitive edge and sharing in the returns they make. For more
information see http://www.evolva.com. Questions about our fermentation
approach? Have a look at our video.

About nootkatone

Nootkatone
is a citrus ingredient that is characteristically associated with
grapefruit. It can be extracted in minute quantities from the skin of
grapefruit or the bark of the Alaska yellow cedar (also known as the Nootka
cypress), or produced on an industrial scale from brewing via yeast
fermentation. Nootkatone is being tested against a variety of biting and
nuisance pests, notably the ticks that are responsible for spreading
Lyme disease, but also the mosquitoes contributing to the spread of
Zika, chikungunya, dengue and West Nile viruses, as well as head lice,
bed bugs, and other biting insects.

About Lyme disease and Zika virus

Lyme
disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and
is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks.
Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic
skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can
spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

Zika
virus disease (Zika) is a disease caused by Zika virus that is
spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes
species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash,
joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Because the symptoms of Zika
are similar to those of many other diseases, many cases may not have
been recognized.

In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert
regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil and on Feb
1, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a
public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Local
transmission has been reported in many other countries and territories.
Zika virus likely will continue to spread to new areas.

This press release contains specific forward-looking statements, e.g.
statements including terms like believe, assume, expect or similar
expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may result in a
substantial divergence between the actual results, financial situation,
development or performance of the company and those explicitly or
implicitly presumed in these statements. Against the background of these
uncertainties readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. The company assumes no responsibility to update
forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or
developments.

Contacts

Evolva
Neil Goldsmith, CEO
neilg@evolva.com
+
41 61 485 2005
or
Stephan Herrera, Media
stephanh@evolva.com
+
1 415 794 4005
or
Paul Verbraeken, IR
paulv@evolva.com
+
41 61 485 2035