March 11, 2020

US-based Pebble Labs and Virbac collaborate on aquaculture disease solution

Pebble Labs and Virbac will use RNA-based technologies to global large-scale aquaculture and develop a solution for White Spot Syndrome Virus, a disease that causes 50% crop loss. 

About 50% of aquaculture crops are lost to disease, resulting in a US$50 billion loss annually. Among these diseases, White Spot Syndrome Virus in farmed shrimp causes loses up to US$3.5 billion each year. To combat White Spot Syndrome, the aquaculture industry uses probiotics, synthetic chemicals and antibiotics.

Pebble Labs Directed Biotics technology is able to harness the shrimp's natural immunity with a bacteria and redirects it to suppress White Spot Syndrome Virus.

Pierre Henning, Virbac director of aquaculture division said Pebble Labs has the first sustainable technology to address the viral pathogens in aquaculture safely. The Virbac aquaculture division sets working with Pebble Labs a high priority in 2020, with a commitment to progress the project as fast as possible.

Both parties will execute feasibility studies to validate Pebble Labs technology, create solution development plans, obtain regulatory clearance and approval, and discuss future products and commercial applications. All this is in addition to treating White Spot Syndrome Virus in aquaculture.

David G. Morgan, Pebble Labs president said the company is looking forward to seeing Directed Biotics technology used in aquaculture, adding that the agreement with Virbac helps move its products to the market. This in turn, will reduce antibiotics use in food production and improve global food security.