Monday, Ecolab Inc. (ECL) and AvidBiotics Corp. announced an agreement to develop a protein-based antibacterial technology to reduce the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in red meat products, enabling non-chemical and non-toxic food processing.
The companies intend to commercialize AvidBiotics' proprietary protein-based antibacterial technology, which can be targeted against specific bacterial pathogens, so as to yield a versatile food processing aid that is non-chemical and non-toxic.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 70,000 people are infected with E. coli O157:H7 each year in the United States, at least 2,000 are hospitalized, and about 60 die as a direct result of E. coli infection and its complications.
Bacterial contamination of the food supply is an increasing public concern. Ecolab and AvidBiotics are responding to these concerns by combining the innovative technologies of AvidBiotics with the commercial expertise of Ecolab to find new and innovative solutions to the processing of food to help ensure its safety, a joint press note stated.
"As the global leader in the food safety industry with a history of innovative products, Ecolab is the perfect partner for us," said David Martin, chief executive officer of AvidBiotics. "Combining AvidBiotics' innovation and expertise in molecular biology with Ecolab's diverse technical competencies and market position will allow us to accelerate the path to commercialization. Ecolab's commitment to collaborate with us validates our approach to combat these deadly pathogens," Martin said.
ECL is gaining $0.63 or 1.39%, and is trading at $45.92 on a volume of 462 thousand shares on the New York Stock Exchange.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.