Polish biotech company Proteon Pharmaceuticals S.A, a global leader in the development and commercialization of bacteriophages for industrial use in livestock farming in poultry, dairy and aquaculture, has been awarded 2,9 mln Euro by the European Regional Development Fund to design and implement products that reduce the need for antibiotics in the human food chain. The funding will be used to develop further products for the company’s aquaculture product portfolio, improving fish health and increasing the economic effectiveness of aquaculture farming.
Aquaculture is one of the most dynamic developing agricultural industries. Industrial fish farming can lead to the fish becoming prone to bacterial infection and can lead to antibiotic use in the effort to maintain animal health.
“Farmed fish producers are looking for efficient alternatives to antibiotic use and for effective preventive and curative treatments in aquaculture,” says Matthew Tebeau, Member of the Management Board and Chief Operating Officer at Proteon Pharmaceuticals. “Products based on bacteriophages are an effective tool for fighting bacterial diseases in farmed fish, as they eliminate only the specific pathogenic bacteria while not damaging the animal’s microbiome. Our globally-unique solutions enable the development of natural and effective bacteriophage products, their industrial production, sales and distribution.”
With the additional funding, Proteon aims to improve and automate the process of searching for and selecting proper phages for use in aquaculture farming. This will enable the company to develop a library of phages with well-characterized molecular, morphological and physiological features. The library will be a basis for development of commercial products. The research will be conducted in Proteon’s modern R&D Centre in Łódź, Poland.
In addition to aquaculture product development, Proteon has several other bacteriophage-based products in its portfolio, including BAFASAL®. Currently in commercial use in other global markets, BAFASAL® helps prevent and eliminate Salmonella in poultry farming and is at the last stage of registration as a feed additive in the European Union.
Proteon’s proven ability to design, develop and commercialize biotechnological products has allowed it to obtain EU grants for its continued development and commercialization. More than 8,8 mln Euro of non-dilutive research funding has been received to date.
INFORMATION ABOUT PROTEON PHARMACEUTICALS
Proteon Pharmaceuticals S.A., a Poland-based biotechnological company, is a global leader in the use of bacteriophages on an industrial scale in livestock farming. The company has developed and produces natural antibacterial products protecting the health of animals in livestock farming and protecting the human food chain in the production of meat, eggs and dairy.
Proteon has two commercially-available products: BAFASAL® a feed additive used in poultry farming prevents Salmonella infections, and BAFADOR® , which is used in aquaculture to fight against some of the most common pathogens impacting fish health and growth. The company is also developing products in dairy and other applications and offers diagnostics services and veterinary autovaccines
