Olmix and INRAE signed a first framework agreement which aims at strengthening their collaboration in the fields of both environment and animal nutrition and health with the shared objective of developing sustainable and economically viable agricultural food systems.

Olmix and INRA (INRAE after the merge with Irstea on January 1, 2020) have had an ongoing and fruitful research partnership since 2012. The aim of this collaboration was to evaluate the effect of different compounds rich in marine sulfated polysaccharides on a wide range of biological activities able to improve production performance and the resistance of animals to infections. The research performed in vitro and in vivo highlighted that some of the tested extracts could be efficiently used in feeds as natural products to stimulate the immune response of livestock animals, protect the mucous membranes from pathogens and reduce the use of medical products on farms.

This contract aligns the research priorities:

•  Impact of algae extracts on nutrition and health of farm animals, aquaculture sector and on food product quality, in an antibiotic-free approach (identification of biological markers and mechanisms of action).
• Research on algae extracts composition, structure and link with their biological activities.
• Identification of active ingredients and their mode of action on plant nutrition and health.
• Sustainable plant production routes, incorporating innovative algae-based crop protection strategies, linked to soil health.

“This framework contract is both a recognition of our work with INRAE and an incentive to strengthen it. For 20 years, Olmix has been developing algae-based solutions with one objective, to provide economically viable solutions to farmers, for them to produce healthy and sustainable food,” said Hervé Balusson, CEO of Olmix.