Vaccine manufacturer Indian Immunologicals (IIL) has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) for the commercial development of a vaccine targeting Hemorrhagic Septicemia in freshwater fish.
This partnership builds upon IIL’s entry into the aqua business in October 2022, where it ventured into products for the aquaculture health market, focusing on pond management and fish or shrimp gut management. Following this, IIL had previously revealed its commitment to the commercial development of fish vaccines through a collaboration with the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE).
Hemorrhagic septicemia, also known as Aeromonas Septicemia, ulcer disease, or red-sore disease, poses a significant threat to freshwater fish farming globally. Caused by Aeromonas Hydrophila, an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium, this disease is considered a substantial economic challenge in Indian aquaculture. IIL highlighted in a release that all major cultured freshwater fish species in India, including rohu, catla, mrigal, silver carp, grass carp, common carp, medium carps, channel catfish, and eel, are susceptible to this ailment.
CIFA, an Indian Council of Agricultural Research Institute based in Bhubaneswar, has played a pivotal role in researching and developing a vaccine candidate against Aeromonas Septicemia. Emphasizing the absence of fish vaccines on a commercial scale in the country to prevent aquaculture infections, ICAR-CIFA Director Pramoda Kumar Sahoo expressed satisfaction that IIL has stepped forward for the commercial development of this crucial vaccine.
“IIL is the first in India to get to fish vaccines. We are working on multiple fronts in defining pathways for the commercial development of fish vaccines,” stated K. Anand Kumar, Managing Director of IIL, underlining the pioneering nature of this venture. This collaborative effort signifies a significant step toward addressing health challenges in the aquaculture industry, reflecting a commitment to advancing research and technology in the domain of fisheries and aquaculture in India.