FOLIUM Science has developed a new partnership with renowned experts in aquaculture health plus leading scientists at Harper Adams University (HAU) to extend the application of its Guided Biotics® technology to the aquaculture industry.
Professor Simon Davies, international expert in fish nutrition and editor-in-chief at International Aquafeed will be working in a collaborative partnership with FOLIUM Science to develop products that help to solve the issues caused by bacterial diseases in fish. He will also join FOLIUM Science’s bench of industrial experts; a group of experienced individuals from across the agri-tech industry who advise and support the development of FOLIUM Science’s technology.
Supporting Professor Davies from HAU will be Dr Tharangani Heath, Senior lecturer in Aquaculture health and Senior research scientist Dr Nilantha Jayasuriya. The team will also be collaborating with Dr Alex Wan of the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) at the prestigious Ryan Institute’s Carna Research Station for feeding trials with salmon.
The new AQUA Consortium will be targeting bacterial pathogens that can cause mortality rates of up to 30% in farmed salmon and trout (source: MSS). Initial focus will be on Aeromonas salmonicida with future work to develop multivalent products for multiple fish pathogens.
FOLIUM Science CEO Ed Fuchs says “The launch of our AQUA Consortium is an important step in our strategic development. The UK Aquaculture industry is valued at more than £550m annually and is growing rapidly. However issues with bacterial pathogens are worldwide so we see huge commercial opportunities for the new products that the AQUA Consortium will develop”
Although vaccines currently exist to help manage bacterial pathogens in farmed fish, outbreaks still occur, particularly at times of greater vulnerability such as in early life or when fish are transferred from fresh water to sea water. The emergence of new pathogens has resulted in extensive use of anti-biotics driving the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and concerns across the industry and wider health sector. FOLUM Science’s Guided Biotics® technology applied via the feed, can target specific pathogens at time of increased vulnerability whilst vaccination is given time to provide protective immunity.
Professor Davies says “ This is a great opportunity to contribute our expertise in fish nutrition and aquaculture health to a vibrant and commercially focussed biotechnology business. FOLIUM Science’s Guided Biotics® technology has already proved its efficacy in monogastric agriculture so we look forward to demonstrating the opportunities in aquaculture. Given the opportunities that this represents, we welcome engagement and discussions with potential commercial partners”
To find out more about how Guided Biotics® technology works, download our Technical Guide here. http://foliumscience.com/our-technology/
