Development of a new product

THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW SYNTHETIC ANALOGUE OF A SEMIOCHEMICAL
- PHEROMONE, ALLOMONE OR KAIROMONE - GOES THROUGH DIFFERENT STEPS:

	The development of research surrounding potentially interesting secretions is the result of ethological observations. The arousal and the effects of the secretion are assessed, the secreting gland identified, and samples taken.

	Different techniques (GC-MS, ...) are used to identify the volatile components of the secretion. The major difficulty at this stage is the identification of the functional components, among the uncountable compounds present in the mucous or sebaceous secretions. This leads to the production of some potential chemical analogue candidates.

	The putative analogues are tested in laboratory conditions in order to select the one whose efficacy resembles most the natural secretion.

	Different presentations of the product can be developed. The chemical structure of the semiochemical, restrictions linked to usage (simplicity and security) and the animals' environment (temperature, hygrometry, ventilation,...) will determine which one is most suitable.

	The organisation of these tests follows the usual procedure, in order to evaluate the efficicacy of therapeutic products: ethics, randomization, 'blind' testing. Methodology and statistical analysis are elaborated in collaboration with the bio-statistics department and the products are prepared by the chemistry department in charge of maintaining the 'blind' procedure until the trial is finished.

	The last steps in the development of a product are to protect it by patent, to publish articles in peer-reviewed journals, to participate in international congresses and to present the product to potential industrial partners.