Summary:

Zoetis sees its core livestock business strengthened with its recent acquisition of PHARMAQ, a global leader in vaccines and innovation for health products in aquaculture. See other recent news of importance that in some ways alter the affairs of state in the aquaculture industry.

 

 

NEWS ROUNDUP

 

ACQUISITION

Zoetis acquires PHARMAQ

 

Zoetis Inc. has purchased PHARMAQ, the global leader in vaccines and innovation for health products in aquaculture, for the price of $765 million on a debt-free basis. The acquisition strengthens Zoetis' core livestock business, giving the company a market-leading presence in the fast-growing segment of the animal health industry.

 

Zoetis is purchasing PHARMAQ from a company owned by Permira IV, a fund managed by the global investment firm Permira, which has been the majority owner of the company since 2013.

 

PHARMAQ's R&D organisation addresses many of the most pressing health needs of the aquaculture industry. Its late-stage development pipeline includes important new vaccines and next-generation parasiticides expected to enter the Norwegian, Chilean and UK markets in the near term.

 

The market for aquatic health products serving aquaculture was valued at approximately $400 million in 2014 and has been growing 7 to 8% annually. This growth rate is faster than the overall livestock segment, which is growing at 6% CAGR, and the companion animal segment, which is growing at 5% CAGR.

 

Fish remains the most consumed animal source of protein worldwide. Farmed fish accounts for about 50% of total fish consumption, up from 15% in 1990. Moreover, current medicalisation rates for fish rank at the lowest level of any livestock category. Healthcare spending is expected to increase as productivity of fish farming becomes more efficient to address the rising global demand for protein.

 

With this acquisition, Zoetis adds vaccine brands such as AlphaJect® (an injectable vaccine) to its diverse portfolio of more than 300 product lines. It also adds parasiticides such as AlphaMax® to protect farmed salmon from sea lice. PHARMAQ diagnostic products complement the Zoetis diagnostics business and support customers with early detection of infection and rapid response through more customised solutions. PHARMAQ also provides dip/immersion vaccines, therapeutics and technical support services tailored to the needs of farmed fish operations.

 

Zoetis completed the acquisition on Nov. 10, 2015.

 

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NEW PRODUCT

Ridley launches world's first fishmeal-free prawn feed

 

Australian feed company Ridley has launched the world's first commercial prawn feed containing no traditional wild-caught fishmeal.

 

NoCatchTM diets for barramundi and salmon had been successfully developed and tested by Ridley.

 

The new feed is the result of more than a decade of research by Smullen and his team.

 

Ridley was acquired by Alltech in June this year, its ability to deliver solutions to its customers enhanced.

 

The company's NoCatchTM diet vies with other premium prawn diets available in the market. Its price advantage is that, since the diet contains zero fishmeal, it is able to avoid the price volatility to which other diets are subjected to from seasonal availability and variable catches.

 

 

PERSONALITY/AWARDS

Hungarian László Váradi is 2015 FEAP Awardee for Excellence

 

László Váradi, of Hungary, received the 2015 FEAP Award for Excellence in European Aquaculture during the 37th Annual Meeting of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers, which was held on Hydra island in Greece.

 

The award is made annually to a person who has excelled in his/her contribution to the development of European aquaculture. The awardee receives a smaller replica of a specially commissioned beautiful silver statue of Poseidon. 

 

László was recognised for dedicating his entire career in developing Hungarian aquaculture and freshwater pondfarming as well as for his strong involvement and cooperation with less developed countries. 

 

He was the director of HAKI for 20 years (from 1991 until his retirement in 2012). He obtained his PhD degree in 2001 with a thesis on the development of water-efficient and environmentally friendly aquaculture systems. He has been an active participant of numerous EU-funded research projects and European initiatives, contributing to the transfer of R&D results into practice in the field.

 

He has placed high importance on the development of collaboration between Eastern and Western European aquaculture institutions and organisations, initiating the establishment of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Central and Eastern Europe (NACEE) for which he has been the president since its foundation in 2004. He was also the president of the European Aquaculture Society (EAS) between 2006 and 2008, and a strong supporter of its international conferences.

 

At present he is the president of the Hungarian Aquaculture Association and is also chief technical adviser of the Hungarian Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (HUNATiP).

 

 

RADICAL FOOD

Genetically engineered salmon, anyone?

 

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made its first ever approval for a genetically engineered animal intended for food, and it is a salmon, an Atlantic salmon, specifically.

 

The approved GE salmon is known as AquAdvantage Salmon, which is raised by the Massachusetts-based aquaculture firm AquaBounty Technologies. It is known to reach market size faster than non-GE farm-raised Atlantic salmon.

 

"The FDA has thoroughly analysed and evaluated the data and information submitted by AquaBounty Technologies regarding AquAdvantage Salmon and determined that they have met the regulatory requirements for approval, including that food from the fish is safe to eat," said Dr. Bernadette Dunham, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine.

 

Ronald Stotish, AquaBounty Technologies CEO, said AquAdvantage Salmon "is a game-changer that brings healthy and nutritious food to consumers in an environmentally responsible manner without damaging the ocean and other marine habitats".

 

The FDA said that AquAdvantage Salmon was found to be safe to eat and as nutritious as non-GE Atlantic salmon, adding that the rDNA construct (the piece of DNA that makes the salmon grow faster) is safe for the fish itself.