Research Trials

Efficacy

Challenge trials serve as a valuable means to thoroughly document the effectiveness of vaccines in combating specific pathogen infections. These trials involve comparing the efficacy of the vaccine with a negative control group (unvaccinated) and a positive control group (using a competitor vaccine), allowing for a comprehensive assessment of the vaccine's performance in preventing transmission and reducing the severity of the infection.

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Duration of protection

Duration of Protection (DOP) can be effectively documented through challenge trials conducted at specific intervals following vaccination, typically spanning durations of 6, 12, or 18 months. DOP trials can also be conducted on a larger scale in real-world field conditions to further validate the vaccine's performance and effectiveness.

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Safety target animal safety

Studies aimed at documenting the safety of vaccines involve a comprehensive evaluation of potential adverse events following vaccination. These trials can be performed according to the principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

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Batch release

Vaccine batches can be distributed  following meticulous evaluation and quality control of  efficacy and safety in fish, carried out in adherence to the principles of  Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

Efficacy

Challenge trials can be conducted to document the effects of pharmaceuticals under different regimes with regards to fish size, dose, treatment time, temperature and/or salinity.

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Target animal safety

Safety evaluations of pharmaceuticals involve assessing evaluation of potential adverse events  following treatment. The trials can be conducted in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) guidelines.

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Residue depletion

These studies aim to determine the concentration of pharmaceutical or pesticide residues in fish fillet with reference to Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) values, specifically focusing on those derived from plant-based ingredients present in fish feed.

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Pharmacokinetics/Bioequivalence

These studies aim to assess the timeline for drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, while also comparing the kinetics of various active substances.

Family-based genetic selection

Challenge trials to evaluate disease resistance in family-based or sibling testing breeding programs. These trials aim to identify and assess phenotypic variations among different families, providing crucial insights into their respective disease resistance capabilities.

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Marker-assisted and genomic selection

Challenge trials to identify genetic markers such as SNPs (small nucleotide polymorfisms) and QTL (quantitative trait loci) that are associated with enhanced disease resistance within families. By analyzing genome-wide genetic marker data, we can further  predict breeding values for disease resistance.

Pathogenicity

The pathogenicity of new potential agents can be documented through infection experiments. The experiments can be designed to fulfill Koch’s postulates.

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Host-pathogen interactions

The interaction between pathogens and fish can be studied through infection experiments, with results providing valuable insights into identifying the pathogen’s modes of transmission and tissue tropism.

Functional feeds

To document the impact of functional feed additives on disease resistance, challenge trials can be conducted. These trials can also involve measuring additional outcome parameters such as growth, fillet quality and colouration.

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Medicine feeds

Studies can be conducted to document the effect and safety of medical feeds. Trials can be performed in accordance with  Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards.

In vitro studies

In vitro studies can be conducted on bacteria and parasites, often representing sensitivity profiles or bioassays specifically for sea lice, or as initial efficacy studies of new compounds before proceeding to in vivo trials involving fish

Effect and safety of vaccines and pharmaceuticals

In clinical field trials, the efficacy and safety of vaccines, as well as  treatments with pharmaceuticals are typically evaluated. Trials can be conducted in accordance with GCP (Good Clinical Practice) standards. Parallel laboratory trials, including assessments of duration of protection, may also be conducted to validate the findings. Additionally, we provide monitoring services for field trials conducted in different locations.

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Evaluation of genetic resistance

Field trials can be conducted to assess the genetic resistance profiles and performance of salmon throughout their entire life cycle, from hatching to harvest.

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Feeding

Large-scale feeding trials can be conducted to evaluate the effect and safety of different diets and functional feeds in commercial farming conditions.