Executive Summary
Among the major afflictions of man famine, pestilence and war the greatest progress has been made in controlling disease; in terms of lives saved, measurers for controlling infectious diseases stand as the most important achievements in the history of medicine.
A global revolution in the use of antimicrobials is now required, according to a government-backed report. Lord Jim O'Neill, who led the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, said a campaign was needed to stop people treating antibiotics like sweets. It is the first recommendation in the global plan for preventing medicine "being cast back into the dark ages." The report has received a mixed response with some concerned that it does not go far enough. Superbugs, resistant to antimicrobials, are estimated to account for 700,000 deaths each year.
Scientific modelling up to the year 2050, by Rand Europe and auditors KPMG, notes that upwards of 10 million people could die each year; equivalent to one every three seconds.
The report brings together eight previous interim reports that recommended:
Active Lab was incorporated in 2005 in the Province of Quebec by Robert Ritondo. Mr. Ritondo, a seasoned industry professional has been a champion for natural medicinal solutions. Mr Ritondo is determined to advance research and further develop several formulations with biocidal and preservative qualities that will have characteristics to meet broader applications, to focus in developing and support a range of natural and non-toxic products for providing disease prevention and control in the food processing, healthcare, personal care, and agriculture industries. The research and development evolved to the creation of CitrusDefence®, a completely organic biocidal product that is hypoallergenic, a natural biocide, and virucidal with a broad spectrum of sanitizing characteristics.
Active Lab, throughout the years, has been very present in the world of nutraceuticals, finding the best scientifically-referenced actives available and offering a range of supplements and building credibility for over ten years offering quality and safe products to the consumer. Over the past eleven years, Active Lab has built relationships with renowned PhDs and researchers willing to partner in commercializing proprietary formulations to the market. Active Labs multiple pipelines in North America and throughout the world presents multiple strategic relationships and opportunities with scientific breakthrough products, exclusivities and its own flagship state of the art products unveiled to new markets.
CitrusDefence®
CitrusDefence®, is used for disinfection of surfaces. The applications for which a series of tests at the Pasteur Institute of Lille, France, according to the European Suspension Test BS EN 1276. CitrusDefence® breaks down biofilms that cling to surfaces and house large quantities of bacteria. Bacteria that is attached to biofilms are 150 to 3,000 times more resistant to chlorine than unattached cells. Active Lab is continuing to investigate and develop applications of the CitrusDefence® biocide technology in the food, agriculture, human and animal health, personal care, and cosmetic industries. A number of new applications incorporating the biocidal and preservative qualities of CitrusDefence® are in development targeted in the personal hygiene and health area.
These methods of action do not cause a resistance build-up in bacteria. Being non-toxic and biodegradable the compound is a platform for many products in the health and food industries.
All CitrusDefence® products contain is a unique, versatile, biocide technology that can be used in a range of applications. It is currently available in a suite of proprietary products.
DermAction®
Active Lab developed a line of personal care branded products under the DermAction® trademark which consists of natural hand sanitizers, foot care, and acne lotions, which are sold in brick and mortar stores throughout Canada.
ActivFoam®
Active Lab developed a heavy duty foaming biocidal alkaline cleaner that is a combination of metasilicate, modern biocidal foam surfactants. This product will remove proteinaceous soils, oils, and fat encrusted soils.
ActivCrop®
Active Lab developed a nutrient synergist with bactericidal properties. It acts as a systemic nutrient synergist which improves the nutrition of the crop thus assisting in the activation of the plants natural protection and defense mechanisms.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
We assert common law copyright in the contents of our Web sites, citrusdefence.com and activelaboratoryinc.com, and common law trademark rights in our business name and related product labels, including “CitrusDefence,” “DermAction,” “ActivFoam,” ”ActivSan,” and “ActivCrop.” We have registered for the protection of any copyright, trademark, patent or design, for certain names in Canada. In the future, as we deem necessary to protect our business, we will file accordingly with the appropriate regulatory agency. We have registered for protection of our domain name, www.citrusdefence.com.
BIOGRAPHIES
Colonel (Ret’d) Richard Pucci, OMM, CD, BSc, MDS – Chief Executive Officer and Director
Mr. Pucci was appointed as COO in June 2016. Mr. Pucci retired as a Colonel in May 2016 from the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Medical Service. He served in an extraordinary variety of command and strategic levels in Canada, United Kingdom, United States, and operational tours where he honed his leadership proficiency. As Deputy Commander, he oversaw a team of approximately 6,400 active members, 2,400 reserve personnel, and 500 contractors. As chief of staff of the health services group, he had overall responsibility for the financial and business planning cycle of C$642 million, as well as an infrastructure budget of C$600 million.
Mr. Pucci, effective May 2016, was appointed as the CEO of Benica Bio Solutions, Inc., a joint venture between Active Laboratory, Inc. and Lyfra Capital, Inc., and as CEO and director of Rham Bio Solutions, Inc.
Mr. Pucci graduated from the Royal Military College with a masters of strategic studies, master in organizational design, trans-national leadership, doctorate degree in microbiology with a major in geology.
Robert Ritondo – Founder and Chairman
Mr. Ritondo, 54, is an entrepreneur who has an extensive background with his various companies specializing in manufacturing, distribution, product representation, international operations, marketing, sales and back office support. With his various companies, as well as historical career positions with third parties, he has been instrumental in redesigning sales and trade spending methodologies, design go-to-market business models that incorporated classic CPG industry business methodologies which drove significant market share gains for the various companies, and product launches. The industries represented have been food, beverages, paper, confectionary, cleaning supplies, over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, and others. Certain products have been in the “green” industry. He has maintained a key role in each company as an officer, director and/or key third party consultant.
Historically, Mr. Ritondo began his career as an aerospace engineer, where he initially worked for Airframe & Powerplant Tech. At this endeavor, Mr. Ritondo discovered his aptitude with dealing with companies throughout the world, with an emphasis in procurement, manufacturing, distribution, and related activities.
Over the past few decades, Mr. Ritondo, operating under RJR Manufacturers’ Agent, represented the following entities: Sweet-Life Switzerland (mints and sweeteners), 2001 – 2012; Goeletz Candy Company (Jelly Belly), 2000 – 2012; Montignac (sugar-free chocolate), 1997 – 2012; Sweet Maples Candies Ltd., 2000 – 2015; Peerless Candy Company (sugar-free candies), 2000 – 2010; BBHN Labs Malaga, Spain (Food Supplements-Sport nutrition) 2005-2011; Asher Chocolate Company, 2000 – 2010; Libby’s (nectar and juices), 2007 – 2011; and J.C. Blouin, Inc. (Les bonbons), 1999 – 2004.
Currently, he is the key person and controlling party of several companies:
Guang Ning Wei – Chief Science Officer
Ms. Wei has taught for the past 17 years techniques for cloning plants for agriculture. Ms. Wei belongs to a research group associated with the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Nanning in Guangxi, China. Her background provides the Company with a thorough knowledge and relevant experience of natural organic products, the role of bacteria, enzymes, and fermentation processes. Her research included, but not limited to, tissue culture techniques for producing commercially valuable plants, such as Eucalyptus, Siraitia grosvenirii, Phalaenopsis Aphrodite, Cyclamen persicum Mill and Sugarcane; lab skills in the field of biotechnology, including microbiology, genetics, enzyme engineering, fermentation, molecular biology, plant tissue culture (mircropropagation), and; three years molecular genetic lab work experience and highly skilled in gene manipulation.
She was awarded “Excelsior Curriculumn” by the Education Department of Guangxi Province for Plant Tissue Culture. Was also awarded third prize in the 5th Guangxi High Educational Teaching Software competition.
Ms. Wei was a participant in the largest-scale gene mutation and virulence-associated gene screening of Xathomonas campestris pv.campestris in the world for either animal or plant bacterial pathogens. Also participant in the national project “863 Programmes” named “Xathomonas campestris pv. campestris functional genomes research.”
Ms. Wei co-authored four publications, as follows: “The effects of Silicon and Boron on the growth of tissue culture of sugarcane” in the Journal of Guangxi Agricultured and Biological Science, Vol. 19, No. 3; “Cloning and identification of a novel virulence gene of Xanthomonas pv.Campestris” in the Journal of Zhejiang University (Agriculture & Life Sciences), 2003, Vol. 29 No. 6; “The Gene wxcA of Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris 8004 Strain Involved in EPS Yield” in Chinese Journal of Biotechnology, 2004, Vol. 20 No. 4, and; “A putative protein kinase gene of Xanthomonas campestris is required for polysaccharide biosynthesis and full virulence” in the Journal of Guangxi Agricultral and Biological Science, 2008, Vol. 27 No. 4.
Ms. Wei, on behalf of her employer, wrote four patents; Target gene for controlling black rot of cabbage, Preparation for improving photosynthetic efficiency and resistance of greenhouse cultured crop, Preparation for preventing and treating citrus canker, and Gene for improving xanthan gum yield.
Ms. Wei has previously served as a consultant for the interface between a research group and Active Laboratory, Inc., and coordinated a technical project with HTS-Bio. Ms. Wei previously served as a professor of applied biotechnology in the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Guangxi Vocational & Technical College.
Ms. Wei has a bachelor of biotechnology and a master of microbiology, both at Guangxi University, Nanning, China. Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and English.
Other
The Company will, at an appropriate time, appoint an experienced chief financial officer.
ADVISORY BOARD
Hon. Col. André J. P Vézina, CRIA
Mr. Vézina was appointed to the Advisory Board in June 2016. Mr. Vézina has over 30 years of experience in the oil, gas and mining industry throughout North America and West Africa. During his career, he was involved in the construction of an oil production complex using vapor generation at the beginning of the tar sand operations in Alberta. Mr. Vézina was involved in the construction of a 280 km long pipeline and was in charge of the security and supply for three rigs operating in the Hibernia oil field. He worked in business development, finance and management, mainly with Imperial Bank of Commerce, Nordair, Esso, Shell and many others. More recently, he was co-Founder and VP Business Development for B-Temia and Centrix Energy Corp., administrator of Robex Resources, President of Mali Oil Development and investor relations consultant for Scorpio Mining, and negotiated the acquisition of oil and gas block A in Benin by Nova Scotia Oil and Gas. He is the co-founder and President of Benica Resources Development, Inc., Honorary Colonel of the 5th Field Ambulance and Honorary Consul of Benin for Quebec City.
RESEARCH TEAM
Institut Pasteur de Lille, France – Determination of bacterial activity of CitrusDefence® in practical use conditions.
Laboratoire d’Analyse S.M., Inc., Longueuil, Quebec, Canada – Establishment Licence for Health Product and Food Branch Inspectorate, from Health Canada. Comparative tests for CitrusDefence® on various strains.
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Nanning, Guangxi, China – Various studies for CitrusDefence® on use as antibacterial in different natural health and cosmetic products. Study for CitrusDefence® used as an antibacterial agent in the matrix of fermentation of cariogenic bacteria, for inclusion in functional gums.
Agricultural Research Counsil, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa – Various studies for CitrusDefence® in the treatment of potable water and swine fever.
HTS-Bio, Gemenos, France – Development of the Avanti Home® Biotech Process product range.
A global revolution in the use of antimicrobials is now required, according to a government-backed report. Lord Jim O'Neill, who led the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, said a campaign was needed to stop people treating antibiotics like sweets. It is the first recommendation in the global plan for preventing medicine "being cast back into the dark ages." The report has received a mixed response with some concerned that it does not go far enough. Superbugs, resistant to antimicrobials, are estimated to account for 700,000 deaths each year.
Scientific modelling up to the year 2050, by Rand Europe and auditors KPMG, notes that upwards of 10 million people could die each year; equivalent to one every three seconds.
The report brings together eight previous interim reports that recommended:
- An urgent and massive global awareness campaign as most people are ignorant of the risks and establishing a $2 billion Global Innovation Fund for early stage research;
- Improved access to clean water, sanitation and cleaner hospitals to prevent infections spreading;
- Reduce the unnecessary vast antibiotic use in agriculture including a ban on those "highly critical" to human health, therefore clean environments in animal husbandry;
- Improved surveillance of the spread of drug resistance;
- Financial incentives to develop new tests to prevent antibiotics being given when they will not work;
- Promoting the use of vaccines and alternatives to drugs;
- The review said the economic case for action "was clear" and could be paid for using a small cut of the current health budgets of countries or through extra taxes on pharmaceutical companies not investing in antibiotic and preventative research; and
- Lord Jim O'Neill, the economist who led the global review, said: "We need to inform in different ways, all over the world, why it's crucial we stop treating our antibiotics like sweets.
Active Lab was incorporated in 2005 in the Province of Quebec by Robert Ritondo. Mr. Ritondo, a seasoned industry professional has been a champion for natural medicinal solutions. Mr Ritondo is determined to advance research and further develop several formulations with biocidal and preservative qualities that will have characteristics to meet broader applications, to focus in developing and support a range of natural and non-toxic products for providing disease prevention and control in the food processing, healthcare, personal care, and agriculture industries. The research and development evolved to the creation of CitrusDefence®, a completely organic biocidal product that is hypoallergenic, a natural biocide, and virucidal with a broad spectrum of sanitizing characteristics.
Active Lab, throughout the years, has been very present in the world of nutraceuticals, finding the best scientifically-referenced actives available and offering a range of supplements and building credibility for over ten years offering quality and safe products to the consumer. Over the past eleven years, Active Lab has built relationships with renowned PhDs and researchers willing to partner in commercializing proprietary formulations to the market. Active Labs multiple pipelines in North America and throughout the world presents multiple strategic relationships and opportunities with scientific breakthrough products, exclusivities and its own flagship state of the art products unveiled to new markets.
CitrusDefence®
CitrusDefence®, is used for disinfection of surfaces. The applications for which a series of tests at the Pasteur Institute of Lille, France, according to the European Suspension Test BS EN 1276. CitrusDefence® breaks down biofilms that cling to surfaces and house large quantities of bacteria. Bacteria that is attached to biofilms are 150 to 3,000 times more resistant to chlorine than unattached cells. Active Lab is continuing to investigate and develop applications of the CitrusDefence® biocide technology in the food, agriculture, human and animal health, personal care, and cosmetic industries. A number of new applications incorporating the biocidal and preservative qualities of CitrusDefence® are in development targeted in the personal hygiene and health area.
These methods of action do not cause a resistance build-up in bacteria. Being non-toxic and biodegradable the compound is a platform for many products in the health and food industries.
All CitrusDefence® products contain is a unique, versatile, biocide technology that can be used in a range of applications. It is currently available in a suite of proprietary products.
DermAction®
Active Lab developed a line of personal care branded products under the DermAction® trademark which consists of natural hand sanitizers, foot care, and acne lotions, which are sold in brick and mortar stores throughout Canada.
ActivFoam®
Active Lab developed a heavy duty foaming biocidal alkaline cleaner that is a combination of metasilicate, modern biocidal foam surfactants. This product will remove proteinaceous soils, oils, and fat encrusted soils.
ActivCrop®
Active Lab developed a nutrient synergist with bactericidal properties. It acts as a systemic nutrient synergist which improves the nutrition of the crop thus assisting in the activation of the plants natural protection and defense mechanisms.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
We assert common law copyright in the contents of our Web sites, citrusdefence.com and activelaboratoryinc.com, and common law trademark rights in our business name and related product labels, including “CitrusDefence,” “DermAction,” “ActivFoam,” ”ActivSan,” and “ActivCrop.” We have registered for the protection of any copyright, trademark, patent or design, for certain names in Canada. In the future, as we deem necessary to protect our business, we will file accordingly with the appropriate regulatory agency. We have registered for protection of our domain name, www.citrusdefence.com.
BIOGRAPHIES
Colonel (Ret’d) Richard Pucci, OMM, CD, BSc, MDS – Chief Executive Officer and Director
Mr. Pucci was appointed as COO in June 2016. Mr. Pucci retired as a Colonel in May 2016 from the Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Medical Service. He served in an extraordinary variety of command and strategic levels in Canada, United Kingdom, United States, and operational tours where he honed his leadership proficiency. As Deputy Commander, he oversaw a team of approximately 6,400 active members, 2,400 reserve personnel, and 500 contractors. As chief of staff of the health services group, he had overall responsibility for the financial and business planning cycle of C$642 million, as well as an infrastructure budget of C$600 million.
Mr. Pucci, effective May 2016, was appointed as the CEO of Benica Bio Solutions, Inc., a joint venture between Active Laboratory, Inc. and Lyfra Capital, Inc., and as CEO and director of Rham Bio Solutions, Inc.
Mr. Pucci graduated from the Royal Military College with a masters of strategic studies, master in organizational design, trans-national leadership, doctorate degree in microbiology with a major in geology.
Robert Ritondo – Founder and Chairman
Mr. Ritondo, 54, is an entrepreneur who has an extensive background with his various companies specializing in manufacturing, distribution, product representation, international operations, marketing, sales and back office support. With his various companies, as well as historical career positions with third parties, he has been instrumental in redesigning sales and trade spending methodologies, design go-to-market business models that incorporated classic CPG industry business methodologies which drove significant market share gains for the various companies, and product launches. The industries represented have been food, beverages, paper, confectionary, cleaning supplies, over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, and others. Certain products have been in the “green” industry. He has maintained a key role in each company as an officer, director and/or key third party consultant.
Historically, Mr. Ritondo began his career as an aerospace engineer, where he initially worked for Airframe & Powerplant Tech. At this endeavor, Mr. Ritondo discovered his aptitude with dealing with companies throughout the world, with an emphasis in procurement, manufacturing, distribution, and related activities.
Over the past few decades, Mr. Ritondo, operating under RJR Manufacturers’ Agent, represented the following entities: Sweet-Life Switzerland (mints and sweeteners), 2001 – 2012; Goeletz Candy Company (Jelly Belly), 2000 – 2012; Montignac (sugar-free chocolate), 1997 – 2012; Sweet Maples Candies Ltd., 2000 – 2015; Peerless Candy Company (sugar-free candies), 2000 – 2010; BBHN Labs Malaga, Spain (Food Supplements-Sport nutrition) 2005-2011; Asher Chocolate Company, 2000 – 2010; Libby’s (nectar and juices), 2007 – 2011; and J.C. Blouin, Inc. (Les bonbons), 1999 – 2004.
Currently, he is the key person and controlling party of several companies:
- He is the CEO of Active Laboratory, Inc. (www.citrusdefence.com), which produces various nutraceutical ingredients.
- RJR Manufacturers’ Agent, a DBA of Active Laboratory, Inc., which has historically provided representation to various Canadian and international companies specializing in foods, beverages, functional confectionary and snacks and natural supplements.
- CEO and owner of Avanti Distribution, which produces and distributes various household products throughout Canada, including the products of Active Laboratory, Inc.
- He is a director for Benica Bio Solutions, Inc., a joint venture between Active Laboratory, Inc. and Lyfra Capital, Inc.
Guang Ning Wei – Chief Science Officer
Ms. Wei has taught for the past 17 years techniques for cloning plants for agriculture. Ms. Wei belongs to a research group associated with the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Nanning in Guangxi, China. Her background provides the Company with a thorough knowledge and relevant experience of natural organic products, the role of bacteria, enzymes, and fermentation processes. Her research included, but not limited to, tissue culture techniques for producing commercially valuable plants, such as Eucalyptus, Siraitia grosvenirii, Phalaenopsis Aphrodite, Cyclamen persicum Mill and Sugarcane; lab skills in the field of biotechnology, including microbiology, genetics, enzyme engineering, fermentation, molecular biology, plant tissue culture (mircropropagation), and; three years molecular genetic lab work experience and highly skilled in gene manipulation.
She was awarded “Excelsior Curriculumn” by the Education Department of Guangxi Province for Plant Tissue Culture. Was also awarded third prize in the 5th Guangxi High Educational Teaching Software competition.
Ms. Wei was a participant in the largest-scale gene mutation and virulence-associated gene screening of Xathomonas campestris pv.campestris in the world for either animal or plant bacterial pathogens. Also participant in the national project “863 Programmes” named “Xathomonas campestris pv. campestris functional genomes research.”
Ms. Wei co-authored four publications, as follows: “The effects of Silicon and Boron on the growth of tissue culture of sugarcane” in the Journal of Guangxi Agricultured and Biological Science, Vol. 19, No. 3; “Cloning and identification of a novel virulence gene of Xanthomonas pv.Campestris” in the Journal of Zhejiang University (Agriculture & Life Sciences), 2003, Vol. 29 No. 6; “The Gene wxcA of Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris 8004 Strain Involved in EPS Yield” in Chinese Journal of Biotechnology, 2004, Vol. 20 No. 4, and; “A putative protein kinase gene of Xanthomonas campestris is required for polysaccharide biosynthesis and full virulence” in the Journal of Guangxi Agricultral and Biological Science, 2008, Vol. 27 No. 4.
Ms. Wei, on behalf of her employer, wrote four patents; Target gene for controlling black rot of cabbage, Preparation for improving photosynthetic efficiency and resistance of greenhouse cultured crop, Preparation for preventing and treating citrus canker, and Gene for improving xanthan gum yield.
Ms. Wei has previously served as a consultant for the interface between a research group and Active Laboratory, Inc., and coordinated a technical project with HTS-Bio. Ms. Wei previously served as a professor of applied biotechnology in the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Guangxi Vocational & Technical College.
Ms. Wei has a bachelor of biotechnology and a master of microbiology, both at Guangxi University, Nanning, China. Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and English.
Other
The Company will, at an appropriate time, appoint an experienced chief financial officer.
ADVISORY BOARD
Hon. Col. André J. P Vézina, CRIA
Mr. Vézina was appointed to the Advisory Board in June 2016. Mr. Vézina has over 30 years of experience in the oil, gas and mining industry throughout North America and West Africa. During his career, he was involved in the construction of an oil production complex using vapor generation at the beginning of the tar sand operations in Alberta. Mr. Vézina was involved in the construction of a 280 km long pipeline and was in charge of the security and supply for three rigs operating in the Hibernia oil field. He worked in business development, finance and management, mainly with Imperial Bank of Commerce, Nordair, Esso, Shell and many others. More recently, he was co-Founder and VP Business Development for B-Temia and Centrix Energy Corp., administrator of Robex Resources, President of Mali Oil Development and investor relations consultant for Scorpio Mining, and negotiated the acquisition of oil and gas block A in Benin by Nova Scotia Oil and Gas. He is the co-founder and President of Benica Resources Development, Inc., Honorary Colonel of the 5th Field Ambulance and Honorary Consul of Benin for Quebec City.
RESEARCH TEAM
Institut Pasteur de Lille, France – Determination of bacterial activity of CitrusDefence® in practical use conditions.
Laboratoire d’Analyse S.M., Inc., Longueuil, Quebec, Canada – Establishment Licence for Health Product and Food Branch Inspectorate, from Health Canada. Comparative tests for CitrusDefence® on various strains.
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Nanning, Guangxi, China – Various studies for CitrusDefence® on use as antibacterial in different natural health and cosmetic products. Study for CitrusDefence® used as an antibacterial agent in the matrix of fermentation of cariogenic bacteria, for inclusion in functional gums.
Agricultural Research Counsil, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa – Various studies for CitrusDefence® in the treatment of potable water and swine fever.
HTS-Bio, Gemenos, France – Development of the Avanti Home® Biotech Process product range.