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BIOTEC Secure Antibiotic Research Contract
EU - A company which develops environmentally sound alternatives to fish antibiotics, has been awarded a major research and development contract by the European Commission.
The contract will be undertaken by nine partners from Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, England, Germany and Poland and is entitled "Training network on protective immune modulation in warm water fish by feeding glucans".
The contract has been issued to Biotec Pharmacon ASA under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) for research and technological development and has a total remit of NOK 24 million (EUR 3 million) over four years. The research project will be based upon applications with the IAH glucan product MacroGard®.
MacroGard® is currently sold as an ingredient in animal feed to strengthen the innate immune system. The research contract will enable the company to document new applications for MacroGard® and strengthen the brand as the world's best-documented glucan for use in animal feed. Many aquaculture companies struggle with the challenge of controlling disease outbreaks.
Evidence shows that MacroGard® is an important supplement in salmon feed during periods of increased disease exposure, and through the research contract IAH expects to broaden the application of MacroGard® to a variety of other aquaculture species. Marie Curie Initial Training Networks awarded 240 million Euro in 2007 for research and training activities.
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