FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., July 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SenesTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: SNES), a developer of proprietary technologies for managing animal pest populations through fertility control, today announced that the first phase of data has been presented on the use of ContraPest^® for the control of rats in an outdoor setting, specifically the control of wild rats that prey upon native birds and plants in a native forest.  The data continues to confirm previous observations of ContraPest in all other settings tested.  

Tyler Bogardus, principal investigator from the O'ahu Army Natural Resource Program (OANRP), hosted by the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research presented phase one data Wednesday at the 25th annual Hawai'i Conservation Conference on a year-long trial, assessing the effectiveness of ContraPest in the Waianae Mountains, O'ahu.  The goal of the study, under the EUP, was to determine whether ContraPest could be deployed effectively and safely to reduce populations of Rattus spp. in a forest setting.

"Our maxim is, 'if rats eat ContraPest, they don't reproduce. If rats do not reproduce, the population decreases.' We have proven this time and time again in the laboratory and in the wild, and this study reinforces that even under circumstances with other attractive sources of food, rats are definitively consuming ContraPest. These data further validate and confirm our previous experiences. With the terrain, the abundance of food and water sources, and the level of infestation seen in this study area (for which we have almost 10 years of data) this is a very validating and promising result," said Brandy Pyzyna, SenesTech's Vice President of Scientific Operations.

Data for the first phase of this on-going study was presented with a number of key observations reported:

"This has been the first demonstration of ContraPest use in a full outdoor environment. Based on the preliminary results of this study we will now, with confidence, pursue full outdoor use label requirements for ContraPest, in an effort to provide a viable solution to address the rodent devastation to our island communities. While here at the conference, we have been contacted by several groups and individuals searching for a better rodent control method in these fragile island communities here in the United States and Globally.  We have committed to move as quickly as possible to meet their demand and have follow up discussions in California and Hawai'i in coming weeks.  Hawai'i pest management professionals as well as our distributors are joining us to meet this environmental demand and have participated in our training and product knowledge programs last week. We are excited to update our island conservation stakeholders on our progress in this study and provide technical support on deployment under our current label," said Dr. Loretta P. Mayer, Chair, CEO and co-founder of SenesTech.

The study is being conducted by the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research in support of the U.S. Army's Natural Resource Program on O'ahu and its endangered species protection efforts.  Final data collection is underway this and next month.

About ContraPest 

ContraPest^® is an innovative technology that targets the reproductive capabilities of Norway and roof rats. As a highly palatable liquid, the formulation promotes sustained consumption, helping to reduce fertility in both male and female rats, bringing populations down and keeping them down. Our delivery system is designed to minimize handler exposure, and ContraPest is dispensed inside tamper resistant bait stations, minimizing the risks to non-target species.

As a versatile tool, ContraPest can be used within Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs to help reduce reproduction and magnify the success of IPM protocols or as a standalone, non-lethal solution for customers that are looking to reduce or eliminate the use of lethal methodologies.

ContraPest is a Restricted Use Pesticide, due to applicator expertise. Please read and comply with all label instructions. Target species: Norway and roof rats

About SenesTech

SenesTech has developed and is in the process of commercializing a proprietary technology for managing animal pest populations, primarily rat populations, through fertility control. For more information visit the SenesTech website at www.senestech.com.

Safe Harbor Statement 
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may," "future," "plan" or "planned," "will" or "should," "expected," "anticipates," "draft," "eventually" or "projected." You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and other risks identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management's assumptions and estimates as of such date. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise.

CONTACT: 

Investor: Robert Blum, Joe Dorame, Joe Diaz, Lytham Partners, LLC, 602-889-9700, senestech@lythampartners.com

Company: Tom Chesterman, Chief Financial Officer, SenesTech, Inc., 928-779-4143

SOURCE SenesTech, Inc.