Nutreco has announced an investment in Israeli startup ViAqua as part of its focus on combatting disease in the aquaculture industry. ViAqua is developing the first orally-administered treatment for shrimp that improves resistance to viral diseases, including White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), and prevents viral epidemics.
The solution offered by ViAqua, which was founded in 2014, uses a proprietary particle to disable viral infections. In the future, ViAqua intends to expand to include more species, like other shellfish such as lobster and crab, and small fish.
Other shareholders in the company include The Trendlines and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, both based in Israel.
Delivery to market
Nutreco’s aquaculture division Skretting will work directly with ViAqua to effectively deliver the solution to the market.
“This investment fits well with our strategy to strengthen our activities in providing health solutions to farmers. ViAqua’s knowledge of how to combat health challenges in shrimp coupled with our expertise on application through feed and our reach in shrimp markets around the world mean that together we can really begin to have an impact on aquaculture health,” commented Skretting CEO Therese Log Bergjord.
“We are excited to have strategic investors of the caliber of Nutreco aboard and the strength of the joint agreement with Skretting,” said ViAqua CEO and Co-Founder Shai Ufaz.
“Nutreco and Skretting’s combined resources and rich knowledge of the aquafeed industry will provide ViAqua with an outstanding opportunity to develop technologies with the right fit for the market. We look forward to collaborating, learning, and contributing our knowledge and expertise, to the common benefit of ViAqua, Nutreco and Skretting.”
Aquaculture’s biggest challenge
The investment is in line with Nutreco’s mission of ‘feeding the future’; the company’s ambition to contribute to producing enough nutritious and high-quality food for a growing population in a sustainable way.
“Preventing and treating disease, particularly viral infections, is one of the biggest challenges facing the aquaculture industry today. In shrimp farming alone, diseases cause 10-20% losses. Working together with Viaqua, we will be able to offer targeted solutions to reduce and prevent disease,” said Nutreco CEO Knut Nesse.
