You don't have to know the cattle industry to agree that blood-sucking parasites are a problem. Still, ranchers know best the devastation caused by the horn fly: $1 billion lost each year because of reduced milk yields, beef production, and leather quality. TNG CEO Jenny Corbin, who has worked in pharma, also "knew the pain," having grown up as a member of 4-H and majored in equine business. So when in August 2009 she discovered a patent for a vaccine against the pest at Auburn University that had yet to be commercialized, she swooped in to secure an exclusive license (it helped that the scientists behind it were from Kentucky). Compared with ear tags, the industry standard, TNG's product, FlyVax, is cheaper, "greener," and more effective, they claim. Aiming to have FlyVax on the market in two years, TNG seeks to raise $1.8 million to get through the regulatory process. Then the challenge will be convincing old-school ranchers to try a new solution. But TNG's success in a big cattle state like Texas bodes well for this team, which looks to be well on its way to "creating cash cows."
Judge's comment: "This disruptive technology has implications for ranchers across the nation. Their biggest hurdle will be getting through USDA approvals."
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