MetaMorphix, Inc. and Stirius, Inc. Announce Joint Venture for the Development of Aquaculture Technologies
MetaMorphix, Inc. and Stirius, Inc. have formed AquaAnimal Health, Inc. to develop aquaculture technologies to enhance production profitability and advance disease resistance. AquaAnimal Health is an aquaculture animal health company dedicated to serving the rapidly growing finfish and crustacean industry around the world. MMI has granted AquaAnimal Health a license to its proprietary Myostatin technology and an option to its GENIUS Whole Genome System for use in aquaculture. The financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.
One of MMI's lead technology platforms, Myostatin, a natural protein which is a potent regulator of muscle growth, is present in humans, animals and has been identified in over 40 species of fish as well as in economically important aquatic invertebrates such as shrimp, scallops and crab. Natural inhibition of Myostatin in finfish has recently been shown to produce more muscle protein and increase feed efficiency. The Company believes that the technology will increase aquaculture productivity, a multibillion-dollar industry that is growing faster than all other protein sectors. The suite of new products, MyoAqua I and II, are projected to reduce feed consumption ratios while strengthening aquaculture profits. Stirius CEO Karl Kelly said, "We believe that aquaculture answers many of the concerns in the pending world protein crisis as well as provides environmental advantages over beef, poultry and swine production. The AquaAnimal Health Myostatin technology has the potential to decrease the producer's total feed costs while improving annual production."
Aquaculture is dependent on constant breeding to retain and enhance fish and crustacean quality. AquaAnimal Health will employ the MMI technology to sustain superior characteristics across all aquaculture breeding. MMI's technology, DNA-based marker diagnostics for agriculture, has been used to predict how livestock will perform with regard to meat quality and production efficiency. MMI markets test kits for meat quality and production efficiency traits validated on several hundred thousand head of commercial cattle. Employing the proven MMI genomic technology in aquaculture will provide similar benefits to increase aquaculture productivity as well as increase resistance to disease. "We feel marker-assisted selection will allow breeders to identify aquaculture species with superior traits, thereby improving quality and production efficiency. We are very pleased to have Stirius, with its wealth of experience and knowledge of the life sciences industry, jointly developing and commercializing our technologies," said Dr. Edwin Quattlebaum, MMI President & CEO. AquaAnimal Health is currently evaluating sites across South Carolina for the establishment of process development and aquaculture research laboratories.
