ViAqua Therapeutics

ViAqua is the first orally administered health management for aquaculture to improve resistance to viral diseases.

ViAqua’s platform for improving resilience to viral diseases in shellfish and fish utilizes a proprietary RNAi particle formulation. The coated particles are delivered via feed to improve farm profitability by reducing the losses to diseases.

• Non-GMO, food-grade ingredients
• Simple application for growers
• Shorter, simpler regulatory path
• Platform technology enables treatment of sets of diseases

• Product stability was demonstrated in industrial feed product processes
• Q4 2018: Proof-of-concept for oral delivery of first product
• Signed joint development agreement with Skretting SA (Nutreco’s aquaculture division) for first product, including distribution and marketing by Skretting
• Preparing for high-volume manufacturing, product efficacy demonstrated in multiple challenge tests, pilot scale acheived.
• 2018: ViAqua receives investment from Nutreco and VisVires New Protein
• 2017: Fish 2.0 competition finalist

ViAqua Therapeutics CEO Shai Ufaz starts his presentation at AquaVision, Stavanger, Norway, 11-13 June 2018.

In the Media

• Viaqua in Israel21C  (2020)
• ViAqua in AgFunder (2018)
• ViAqua founders interviewed about innovative research (nrg)
• Publication (Royal Society of Chemistry): Anti-viral RNAi nanoparticles protect shrimp against white spot disease

• Orally administered, non-GMO health management platform to prevent diseases in aquaculture
• Diseases cause 10% to 20% losses in shrimp aquaculture
• Annual global shellfish market: $36 billion; 10% annual growth

Preventing and treating disease, particularly viral infections, is one of the major challenges facing aquaculture today. Currently, drugs to combat aquaculture diseases are generally injected into shellfish/fish one at a time. This labor-intensive and costly solution is relevant for large premium fish such as salmon, but it leaves shellfish and small fish unprotected, resulting in production losses of 20% or greater in certain species.

The underdeveloped area of virus/disease treatment in aquaculture is becoming a focus of interest and activity as the drive to increase food production for feeding the world’s growing population intensifies.

ViAqua’s first product is for shrimp, the most important aquaculture commodity, which accounts for 20% of the total international trade value of fish products. According to the USDA, diseases cause 10% to 20% losses in shrimp aquaculture. Delivery presents a major challenge for effective, economical treatment. Treatment for other shellfish (e.g., lobster, crab) and fish will follow.