Aqua Bounty Technologies Inc said it has satisfied a 'critical' US Food and Drug Administration requirement for its AquAdvantage gene, which it said halves the time it takes for salmon to grow to market size.
The fish biotech company said it has completed all major studies on food safety and nutrient content for the genetically modified salmon. Studies on animal health and product efficacy are being completed and will be submitted to the FDA shortly.
Aqua Bounty said it expects the transgenic salmon to be launched in the US in 2009.
'Today's endorsement is a clear indication for the marketable potential of our AquAdvantage gene,' chief executive Elliot Entis said. The company said it expects US approval will help in other markets, and 'create downstream opportunities for other products which the company is presently developing.'
TheFishSite News Desk