INTERVIEW 56 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE June 2024 With over 9 billion chicks hatched each year in North America alone, even the smallest improvements in hatchery liveability, and the subsequent 7-day mortality and growth rates, can accumulate into significant economic gains. “When production managers come across something that works, word typically spreads,” says Blake Henson. “With NMAN®, we initially introduced it to address transportation issues and then when we placed it on top of feed in treys and pans, we really saw feed consumption increase. Now a number of our customers have incorporated it into their process.” ALL THE INGREDIENTS ARE HIGH QUALITY HUMAN FOOD GRADE How is this product different from similar products on the market? Al Zimmerman states: “The major differentiator is its ease of use. You don’t need to do any form of preparation on site - i.e mixing or cutting. It arrives 100% ready to use. You just open a bag and pull-out a bar. It also does not contain any form of synthetic polymer like some other products on the market. In fact, all the ingredients are high quality human food grade. Its highly versatile and has been designed completely with the end user in mind.” For Axitan, NMAN® carries a special significance beyond just being a highly effective hydration product. Dr. Kane Miller, explains: “The unique composition of the gel makes it an excellent platform to ultimately deliver a wide range of health and nutrition products to newly hatched birds.” The product is manufactured at Axitan’s FDA registered GMP facility in Georgia. NMAN® gel bars are delivered in re-sealable pouches, each bag containing 45 bright green bars, with each bar sufficient for 50 chicks. The product is available across North America through CVE, though not available for other countries. But Zimmerman, CEO of Axitan, emphasizes that: “At the moment NMAN® is only being distributed in the US. However, we are open to exporting the product with the right commercial partners.” About Al Zimmerman Al Zimmerman is the CEO of Axitan. He brings a wealth experience from the biotech and animal feed additive industries. He was previously with Novus International from 2015–2023 which culminated in his leading innovation growth strategy, business development, acquisitions and alliances. Prior to Novus, Zimmerman established and led the Dietary Supplement Finished Format Business at DuPont (now IFF). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas, an MBA from Texas Christian University and an Executive Certificate from the University of Wisconsin. About Dr. Kane Miller Dr. Kane Miller is the Founder & Chief Innovation Officer of Axitan. Miller is responsible for the ongoing development of Axitan’s endolysin delivery platform and Axitan’s product pipeline focused on delivering material performance benefits to the livestock industry. Miller obtained his Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in Biochemical Engineering from University College London (UCL) having earned a Master’s degree in Biochemical Engineering from the same institution. UCL is recognised as a leading UK and European biotech research centre. Al Zimmerman
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