PRESS RELEASE
February 9, 2005
Makhteshim Agan gains
approval of World Health Organization (WHO) for the marketing
of Novaluron as part of a broad-gauge plan for battling mosquito-borne
diseases
This initial approval obtained by Makhteshim Agan (MAI) from
the WHO (World Health Organization) enables MAI to bid in large
scale tenders for the extermination of mosquitoes in numerous
countries in the Far East, Latin America and in central Africa.
TEL-AVIV ISRAEL, FEBRUARY 9, 2005 - Makhteshim Agan Industries
Ltd (TASE: MAIN), the world’s leading generic manufacturer
of crop protection chemicals, ranking eighth in the world in
the agrochemical market, announced today that it had obtained
the approval of the World Health Organization (WHO) for marketing
Novaluron (branded as “RimonTM” for agricultural
uses) for non-crop applications. Makhteshim Agan can now participate
in large scale tenders for the extermination of mosquitoes in
numerous countries in the Far East, Latin America and in central
Africa, in which the volume of the sales of the product component
could reach tens of millions of dollars. In addition,
this approval will pave the way for the company to obtain registrations
in a large number of countries where registration is contingent
on WHO approval.
The WHO gave its approval following a prolonged, three-year
examination process. Laboratory and field tests were conducted
in four countries (Thailand, India, Sri Lanka and Mexico) where
the efficacy of novaluron was compared with that of standard
mosquito extermination products approved by the WHO.
“The World Health Organization plans to allocate significant
financial resources in the next few years to battling mosquito-borne
diseases, especially in developing countries. The WHO approval,
obtained after a prolonged and meticulous examination process,
positions Makhteshim Agan in an advantageous rank for taking
part in WHO tenders, opening up new business opportunities for
it in numerous developing countries”, said Effie Koren,
VP, Product Development.
