The Synbiotics Board of Directors has unanimously agreed to promote Michael Woodard to the position of Vice President, Production as well as to appoint him an officer of Synbiotics Corporation. Synbiotics President and CEO, Mr. Paul Hays stated, “Mike has demonstrated strong leadership, planning and management skills in his current position and the Board of Directors is confident in his ability to continue to contribute to the company’s growth and financial success.”

Woodard joined Synbiotics in 2005 and quickly rose to Executive Director of Operations in the San Diego facility. His tenure has included continuous improvement of manufacturing and distribution. Earning a B.A. in Operations Management from California State University Fullerton in 1992, Woodard gained nineteen years of valuable experience in the electronics industry including manufacturing management positions with Diceon Electronics and Sanmina-SCI. Mr. Woodard holds CPIM and CSCP certifications through APICS and a Six Sigma Black Belt certification through ABI.

Woodard is respected by his colleagues throughout the global company. Synbiotics manufactures at two sites with one facility in San Diego, California and one operating out of Lyon, France providing innovative, quality products and services for the health and well-being of animals. Both facilities are permitted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are ISO 9001:2000 certified.

Synbiotics has participated in numerous training and/or simulation excercises to equip agencies in various countries and regions with the expertise to implement Avian Influenza Type A virus surveillance programs.  This demonstrates the commitment that Synbiotics has to serve mankind through products and services that contribute to the production of a healthy and abundant protein food supply.

Recently, Synbiotics collaborated with ECTAD (Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases Operations) and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) in Chad.  Synbiotics’ willingness to provide onsite expertise allowed for the training of more than 200 participants which can then in turn coordinate the implementation of surveillance programs in their region.  (http://www.fao-ectad-bamako.org/fr/A-technical-partnership-between)

Synbiotics provided similar training during a training workshop concerning highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Dakar.  Dr Benkhelil Abdelghani of Synbiotics Europe discussed and demonstrated the rapid diagnostic kit, Flu DETECT™ and the avian influenza virus ELISA kit, ProFLOK® AIV Plus.  (http://www.fao-ectad-bamako.org/fr/Laboratory-Workshop-at-Dakar)

Other associations including USAID with the STOP AI program have also received Synbiotics commitments for product donations and/or participation in laboratory diagnostics training of personnel.  (http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PDACN983.pdf). 

These collaborations are one way that Synbiotics can provide solutions for difficult issues such as HPAI currently faced in many areas throughout the world.  Although a manufacturer of diagnostic kits, Synbiotics recognizes the need for specific training and service beyond delivery of our products.

Synbiotics produces sensitive and specific antigen (Avian Influenza Type A Antigen Test; Flu DETECT®) and antibody (ProFLOK® AIV Plus and Flu DETECT® BE) tests for on-site surveillance and early detection of Type A influenza in avian species.  In addition, Synbiotics provides kits for detection of Equine and Swine Influenza Virus Type A.  Synbiotics is a multinational company with a sales, service and marketing team possessing a vast knowledge of our products, interpretation of diagnostic results and understanding the needs of our customers.

In collaboration with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, Synbiotics will present a scientific poster on measurement of declining maternal and post vaccination antibody titers to PCV-2 in serum samples from piglets. Dr. Chinta Lamichhane, Synbiotics Vice President of R&D and CSO, will discuss the findings during the International Pig Veterinary Society this July (www.ipvs2010.com). 

University and industry collaborative scientific efforts are welcomed and represent a key component of the Synbiotics global research team.  Synbiotics manufactures at two sites: San Diego, California and Lyon, France.  Both facilities are permitted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are ISO 9001:2000 certified.  For additional information, contact Synbiotics at 800-228-4305 or 816-464-3500.

In order to provide a quick and convenient ordering format for its customers, Synbiotics developed www.BuyWitness.com.  Through this website, users can easily log in, create an account and utilize their credit card to purchase any WITNESS® product.  The site allows customers to order around their own schedule throughout the day or night.  The site currently provides shipments to locations within the United States only.

All of the Synbiotics’ WITNESS® products are made using Rapid Immuno Migration RIMTM technology.  Using this format, samples which are positive for the antigen of interest will cause formation of a test line in addition to the control line which always appears in valid tests.  In addition to accuracy, key benefits of the test are room temperature storage, ease of use, only seconds of hands-on time, and results within minutes.  All materials for the assay itself are included in the kit making it an ideal in-clinic test.  As with other diagnostic kits, blood collection and processing equipment are required but not provided.

Synbiotics launched www.BuyWitness.com on January 15, 2010, and is currently featuring a promotion on the site.  Currently, the low cost, regular prices for WITNESS® kits are discounted 50% when purchased via the site through January 31, 2010.  The convenience of the ordering process coupled with the significant savings offered through www.BuyWitness.com attest to Synbiotics’ customer-centric mission.

For additional information, go to www.BuyWitness.com or contact Synbiotics at 1-800-228-4305 or customerservice1@synbiotics.com.  Customers are also encouraged to learn more about Synbiotics’ global resource of diagnostic products and canine reproduction services at www.synbiotics.com.

Animal Health Corridor News Alert, January 21, 2010

In last evening's Missouri State of the State address, Governor Nixon highlighted proposed legislation that would create an important new incentive for bioscience company growth in the state of Missouri.
The Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MOSIRA) is a program that would operate much like the Kansas Bioscience Authority. By reinvesting a portion of tax dollars from existing Missouri biosciences companies, MOSIRA would offer a pool of support for new biosciences and animal health companies.

The Governor held up a regional KC success from a few years ago as the perfect example of the kind of company MOSIRA would attract. Synbiotics Corporation is a global animal health diagnostics company that relocated to KC from San Diego in 2007. Governor Nixon said,

We want our bio-tech companies to grow because that creates more jobs. But just as important are the corollaries of that growth: a culture of excellence and collaboration, a forum where brilliant minds find kindred spirits, a hotbed of ideas that spark innovation, and a nexus of risk and reward, where start-ups thrive.

Synbiotics is a perfect example of how this synergy works to Missouri's advantage.

We salute Synbiotics for their ongoing commitment to the KC region and the KC Animal Health Corridor. We thank everyone at the state level who is moving the MOSIRA program toward reality, and we look forward to sharing more news with you on this important development for our region, and for biosciences growth in Missouri.

Kansas City, Missouri - On December 24, 2009, Synbiotics launched its new global website at www.Synbiotics.com.  The site provides a complete resource for all Synbiotics products manufactured in the US and France.  In addition, the ease  and efficiency of navigation have been significantly improved; these qualities are in line with Synbiotics’ customer centric mission.  The website was developed under the initiative of Synbiotics Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mr. Kevin Hayes.  Hayes stated, “The new website demonstrates our commitment to global leadership and our mission to be the preferred diagnostic resource in the animal health industry.”

The enhanced website also features an entire Reproduction Services section providing educational information and resources to our customers.  Synbiotics stores the largest collection of canine frozen semen in the world and offers assistance and services to veterinarians and breeders across the globe. 

Synbiotics Corporation is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of veterinary diagnostics and services for veterinary practices, reference laboratories and animal breeders world-wide.  Our core competencies include immunology, immunodiagnostics and reproduction. Synbiotics manufactures at two sites: San Diego, California and Lyon, France.  Both facilities are permitted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are ISO 9001:2000 certified.

Synbiotics’ website can be accessed at www.Synbiotics.com.