January 31, 2024

 

Skretting partnership focuses on RNA substance to help shrimp cope with diseases

 

A partnership between Skretting, Nutreco's aquaculture feed business line, and startup ViAqua is leading to progress on a groundbreaking innovation which aims to address a problem that has caused substantial production losses in the shrimp industry each year.

 

Both companies are working on their first product together: an edible RNA substance that can be put into microcapsules and help shrimp cope with challenges linked to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV).

 

Viral diseases such as WSSV have plagued the shrimp industry for decades – and there are no effective treatment options, according to Skretting.

 

"The mortality rates associated with a viral outbreak can reach 100% within a few days of onset, leading to massive financial losses for shrimp producers," said Christian Delannoy, global product manager (health) of the Skretting Innovation Shrimp team. "Diseases have resulted in an estimated 30-40% loss in global shrimp production annually."

 

WSSV alone causes a 15% reduction in global shrimp production each year.

 

While vaccination protects many other aquaculture species from disease, it's not an option for shrimp.

 

"...the main reason shrimp cannot be vaccinated is because these animals lack the cells and pathways to mount a successful response to vaccines, which requires adaptive, memory-type components," explained Delannoy.

 

Hence, the pioneering product that ViAqua and Skretting are developing can have a huge impact on shrimp production.

 

As part of its partnership with Skretting, ViAqua has developed a proprietary technology platform while Skretting provides the aquafeed nutrition expertise that is enabling both companies to create a groundbreaking new feed aimed at keeping shrimp healthy .

 

"ViAqua's platform uses RNA-based technology to trigger a cell reaction that silences WSSV, promoting shrimp health and welfare," said Delannoy. "The uniqueness of the technology resides in the fact that it can be applied in feed through a novel encapsulation delivery method that is able to withstand adverse conditions in shrimps' digestive systems and promote absorption." 

 

So far, the technology has delivered exceptional results in R&D trials performed in renowned facilities, demonstrating that its formulation significantly improves shrimps' health.

 

"Innovations like this go beyond solving the problems of today – they are about understanding the emerging future and preparing for it, something that we are excited to be able to do with partners like ViAqua," said Erik Tveteraas, director of venturing at Nutreco's startup investment arm, NuFrontiers.

 

- Skretting