The researcher collegues Unni Grimholt (UiO) and Helena Hauge (NVI) has developed a fish vaccine principle on the Norwegian plattform of Vaccibody, developing a targeted vaccine based on the fish dna analysis.
– We are thrilled to receiving the Innovation Award. It provides us with added strength and determination to continue, and shows a shared belief in the projects potential, the two winners says in a comment.
The collaborators reiceved NOK 100 000 in prize money for the innovation case, assessed by the jury on the following main criteria:
1 Value potential for industry
2 Probability of successful commercialization
3 Innovation Level
– Viral diseases are one of the main challenges for the aquaculture industry , and it is a need for effective vaccines against many diseases, says Merete Bjørgan Schrøder, the jury chair.
To develop effective vaccines is time consuming and is based on extensive research.
Increased efficiency
– The winner of this year's Marine Innovation Award won for this vaccine principle that can provide increased efficiency, reduced doses and less need for so-called adjuvant. The targeted vaccine platform is also flexible in terms of disease and species, says Bjørgan Schrøder.
The winner is chosen from a list innovative cases presented on the Marine Innovation Day 2014 in Bergen, Tuesday March 4th. According to Bjørgan Schrøder the cases under review covered a wide range in both fisheries and aquaculture, both technology and biology. There was also a span from almost "idea stage" to the closest commercial solutions.
Winner potential
– There were several potential winners among the cases this year. To consider all these good solutions against each other is a demanding exercise, Merete Bjørgan Schrøder says. She is Research Director Fish Helath/Seafood & Human Health at Norwegian Seafood Research Fund, FHF.
Among the cases exposed at the Marine Innovation Day, 10 cases where presented live for the conference audience in Bergen.
Professor Øystein Lie, Dean at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, manager at MarLife and organizer of Marin Innovation Day, says the innovative cases are at the core of both the conference an the MarLife nework of innovative marine players.
Check out the case list here!