John Cullen and Dr Patrick Ward, co-founders of Auranta

An Irish biotech company is set to revolutionalise the gut health of fish worldwide using cutting-edge technology that improves disease resistance in shrimp, salmon and other fish species.

Dublin-based Auranta is in discussions with many of the global feed companies for its ground-breaking fish feed products which boosts the immunity and gut health of fish. Auranta has gone from strength to strength since participating in the BIM Innovation Studio, which is helping grow Ireland’s €200 million aquatech business.

Auranta managing director, John Cullen, said the company is very excited about its new fish product, AuraAqua, which now bring distributed in several countries around the world as import registrations are approved.

What marks out AuraAqua and all Auranta products from others on the market is that they are backed up with a strong data set, having been fully researched and tested. The company has published 18 peer reviewed papers since it was established in 2013.

Currently the world is experiencing a “blue revolution” with global aquaculture production more than 125 million tonnes a year, and growth expected to exceed by 50% by 2030.

“The global aquaculture feed market is worth €70 billion,” said John Cullen. “Since we established the company, we have sold a significant amount of product across multiple species and geographies. With the introduction of AuraAqua, its wide application potential and the level of global interest the product is generating, we are seeing an increase in sales and huge potential for growth.

“The focus in this growing sector is on sustainability and disease control. The fast-expanding aquaculture market presents significant business development and growth opportunity for Auranta.”

A turning point for Auranta was its participation last year in the BIM Innovation Studio mentoring programme for young aquatech companies implemented by Hatch Blue.

“Taking part in the Innovation Studio was immense,” said John. “It introduced us to other aquaculture companies around the country as we had no real contact with the sector up to then. It also introduced us to Hatch Blue who have been very supportive. It resulted in an invite to attend a trade show in Singapore where we met lots of invaluable contacts and players in the industry.”

“Getting our name out in the industry was also a big help and this has given us a huge focus for the next three to four years as we develop the fish side of the business.”

“Auranta is a fantastic example of a company that has made invaluable industry connections and developed their business through their participation in the Innovation Studio,” said Damien Toner, BIM Aquatech Business Manager.

“Since BIM first partnered with Hatch Blue seven years ago, some 50 projects and companies have completed the Innovation Studio and attracted a total investment of around €15 million, creating more than 200 hi-tech jobs.”

Aquatech is any technology or innovation driving sustainable seafood farming, and it can be applied progressively to the breeding, raising, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants.

Auranta currently employs ten people and over the next 18 months this is expected to grow to between 18 and 20.

“We have spent a lot of our resources on research and the science end and now to really grow we need to invest in sales and marketing,” said John. “We are working with John Williamson, who has 35 years’ experience in the aquaculture industry globally and he is guiding us into the market. He has provided solid connection to the major players which has allowed us to progress into this large new market very quickly. The biggest market is Southeast Asia but South America is growing quickly.”

“Not only do our fish feed products improve health, but they also help with other key performance parameters. Using our feed products boosts gut health.”

The company was established by John and Auranta’s technical director Dr Patrick Ward in 2013.

“We had been looking at natural extracts from plants to improve the shelf life of food products and then we started to look at nutritional products,” said John. “We met with animal nutritionists and vets in the Far East and started looking at ideas for the animal feed area in 2014 and 2015. The lightbulb moment for us was when we found we could go in and help animals thrive in often very challenging conditions.”

That saw the company begin work with Prof Nicolae Corcionivoschi of the Agriculture Food Biotech Institute in Belfast. “He is a global expert in the animal microbiome and through him and our work with a group of Thai vets we started developing and testing products.”

Auranta’s AuraAqua product improves general health, production performance and reduces what can often be significant losses and reduced opportunity for the producers.

Auranta’s research partners include the Agri Food and Sciences Institute in Belfast, the London School of Tropical Medicine, Banat University of Veterinary Science in Georgia, USA, Edinburgh University and Teagasc.

The BIM Innovation Studio takes place from 30 September to 10 October at the River Lee Hotel, Cork City. Several companies will be selected to pitch at the BIM Aquatech Conference on 11 October where the winner of the BIM Aquatech Business of the Year 2024 will also be announced. Visit here for more information.