In a wide-ranging agreement that leverages the companies' complementary
strengths, U.S.-Canadian-based Aqua Bounty Technologies (ABT) and Recalcine
Farmaceutica (CFR) of Santiago, Chile will develop, manufacture and market a
range of aquatic veterinary products targeted to infective species and strains
specific to South America. The companies also agreed to create several
regional diagnostic centers in shrimp and salmon farming areas to bring
powerful new quantitative PCR and molecular probe techniques to the South
American market.
"South America has embraced the Blue Revolution," said Alejandro
Weinstein, the chief executive officer of CFR. "As aquaculture producers
increase their volume, acquire new species and expand into new locations,
effective biosecurity and best health management practices will be essential
for long term stability in the industry. The strategic alliance between
Recalcine and Aqua Bounty will provide farmers with the tools they need
through the entire production process to detect, prevent and ultimately to
cure the diseases that threaten sustainable production."
Under the agreement, ABT will develop or improve vaccines for up to five
significant salmon pathogens and develop an antifungal treatment for salmon
eggs and fry to be distributed by CFR. The pharmaceutical company will also
introduce ABT's shrimp diagnostic kits, currently available in Asia, to the
South American market. The kits are capable of detecting a single strand of
pathogenic DNA in shrimp and will, under the agreement, be expanded in
application to detect disease in salmon as well. The agreement also allows CFR
to market ABT's shrimp immunostimulant feed additive, currently available only
in Mexico, to South American markets to be determined.
CFR will finance the development costs, contribute milestone payments to
fund field trials and market the full suite of shrimp and salmon health
products through its established sales network.
Source: PR Newswire - 7th July 2004
Aquaculture health and productivity leaders bridge Americas with strategic alliance
US - A leading North American developer of aquatic biotechnology products and the largest privately-heldpharmaceutical company in South America will cooperate in the discovery, development and commercialization of new veterinary vaccines, antimicrobial agents and diagnostic products targeting shrimp and salmon diseases characteristic of the southern hemisphere.
Aquaculture health and productivity leaders bridge Americas with strategic alliance - US - A leading North American developer of aquatic biotechnology products and the largest privately-held
pharmaceutical company in South America will cooperate in the discovery, development and commercialization of new veterinary vaccines, antimicrobial agents and diagnostic products targeting shrimp and salmon diseases characteristic of the southern hemisphere.