Funding for collaborative vaccine project

Benchmark Animal Health and Cermaq Group have received funding from the Research Council of Norway for the development of a novel vaccine for salmon. Benchmark develops biotechnology to improve animal health and welfare, and will be working together with Cermaq, a leading salmon and trout producer.

"The funding from the Research Council of Norway enables Benchmark and Cermaq to undertake important research evaluating and optimising novel vaccines against Tenacibaculumbacteria," Cermaq said in a press release dated the 11th January, 2022.

The funding was given in a total sum of NOK 4.2 million, to support their collaborative project in developing a Tenacibaculum vaccine, to combat the diseases caused by the Tenacibaculum bacteria. In 2020, the Tenacibaculum bacteria was reported by the Norwegian Veterinary Institute to be considered the fifth most important cause of mortality in salmon. These diseases include mouthrot and tenacibaculosis, both of which can lead to increased mortality, reduced quality at harvest and the need for antibiotic treatments, resulting in economic losses. The success of a developed vaccine would provide great benefit for the aquaculture sector.

Image credit: Cerma

The collaborative project between Benchmark and Cermaq combines their experience of biotechnology and fish health, along with Cermaq's own research onto Tenacibaculum bacteria. The two aims of the project are to reduce the need for antibiotic use in treating both diseases, and to reduce production costs by reducing antibiotic treatments and reducing mortalities. From Cermaq, the project will be led by Ph.D. Sverre Småge and the researchers Cecilie Isachsen Lie and Helene Velle Mayer. From Benchmark, this will be Sarah Barker and Sindrew Rosenlund, with researchers Claire Stanley, Fiona Tulloch and Matthias Winkle.

Sarah Barker, the Senior Research Scientist at Benchmark said of the project: "The research team at Benchmark Animal Health are delighted to receive this recognition from the Research Council of Norway. We are looking forward to working on this important project in collaboration with our partner Cermaq Group AS, supporting our mission to achieve the highest standards of fish welfare and support the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry."

Olai Einen, the Global Head of Feed and Fish Health Research at Cermaq concluded: "Preventive fish health is always the best option, and Cermaq invest much in preventive fish health ... This joint project with Benchmark Animal Health is a great opportunity to succeed in developing an effective vaccine against the Tenacibaculum bacteria, and hence is important for salmon farming."

For more information on Benchmark Animal Health visit their website, HERE.

For more information on Cermaq visit their website, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

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