BioSafe

We have developed a dietary supplement enhancing fish immunity, surpassing 80% survival rates without antibiotics. Developed over one year, Biosafe's key protein boosts antimicrobial peptides, ensuring healthy protein production sustainably. Collaborating with industry leaders, Biosafe aims to revolutionize aquaculture, prioritizing animal welfare and global health.

Hans R Quadrat

The overuse of antibiotics in animal farming poses a grave threat to public health, fueling the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria responsible for over one million deaths yearly. Despite the preference of farmers to seek alternatives, the lack of cost-effective and sustainable methods to control infections forces reliance on antibiotics. This dilemma underscores an urgent need for a solution that simultaneously enhances immunity, improves survival rates, and replaces antibiotics in agriculture. Addressing this challenge requires innovations capable of ensuring healthy protein production while advancing animal welfare. Biosafe is a groundbreaking dietary supplement developed to represent a promising response to this crisis. Through extensive research and development, Biosafe incorporates a key protein that naturally bolsters fish immunity, achieving over 80% survival rates in tested populations. Unlike conventional immune boosters, Biosafe avoids triggering inflammatory responses, ensuring optimal growth and yield without the need for antibiotics.

Our solution serves fish feed producers by offering an innovative additive for feed formulation. The target audience includes aquaculture companies, feed manufacturers, and farmers engaged in fish farming operations. These stakeholders face the challenge of maintaining fish health and productivity while minimizing the use of antibiotics, which can lead to antibiotic resistance and environmental concerns.

Our solution provides several public goods that contribute to the well-being of the public and promote sustainable aquaculture practices globally

-  Knowledge Sharing: We are committed to sharing our research findings, methodologies, and best practices related to fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) openly and transparently. By disseminating knowledge through publications, presentations, and workshops, we aim to contribute to the collective understanding of alternative disease management strategies in aquaculture and support informed decision-making by stakeholders.

-   Data Accessibility: We advocate for the open access and sharing of data relevant to aquaculture, including research data, field trial results, and production metrics related to FPH supplementation. By making data accessible to the public, researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals can leverage this information to further advance the development and adoption of sustainable aquaculture practices.

-   Collaborative Partnerships: We actively engage in collaborative partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to promote knowledge exchange. By fostering collaboration and cooperation, we facilitate the collective efforts of the global community to address the challenge of antibiotic resistance in aquaculture.

Our solution is expected to create a tangible impact primarily for fish farmers, aquaculture companies, and consumers of seafood products. By providing a natural alternative to antibiotics in aquaculture through the use of fish protein hydrolysates (FPH), we anticipate the following outcomes:

-  Improved Fish Health: FPH supplementation in fish feed formulations is expected to enhance fish immunity, reduce disease incidence, and improve the overall health and welfare of farmed fish. 

-  Reduced Antibiotic Usage: By offering a sustainable and effective alternative to antibiotics, our solution aims to reduce the reliance on antibiotics in aquaculture operations. 

While direct evidence of impact may be limited at this stage, we draw upon existing research and field studies demonstrating the efficacy of FPH in enhancing fish health and reducing antibiotic usage in aquaculture settings. As we continue to refine and scale our solution, we will monitor and evaluate its impact through key performance indicators such as disease incidence rates, antibiotic consumption levels, fish growth and survival rates, and economic indicators. Additionally, feedback from stakeholders and participants in pilot projects will provide valuable insights into the real-world effectiveness and benefits of our solution.

Over the next year and the next three years, we plan to scale our impact through a multi-pronged approach focused on innovation, collaboration, and outreach. In the short term, we will prioritize optimizing our solution and conducting pilot studies to validate its efficacy and safety. We will also focus on building strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including aquaculture producers, research institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, to facilitate market penetration and adoption of our solution.

In the medium term, we aim to scale up production capacity, expand market reach, and enhance regulatory compliance to meet growing demand for our solution. This will involve investing in infrastructure, technology, and human capital to support increased production volumes and ensure product quality and safety. Additionally, we will continue to engage with stakeholders and raise awareness about the importance of sustainable aquaculture practices and the role of our solution in mitigating antimicrobial resistance.

To measure the success of our solution and evaluate its impact, we have developed a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan that encompasses key performance indicators aligned with our impact goals. indicators include

Disease Incidence Rate: We track the frequency and severity of diseases among farmed fish populations before and after implementing fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) supplementation. A decrease in disease incidence rate indicates improved fish health and resilience to infections.

Antibiotic Usage Reduction: We monitor the quantity and frequency of antibiotics used in aquaculture operations following the introduction of FPH supplementation. A reduction in antibiotic usage demonstrates the effectiveness of FPH as an alternative disease management strategy.

Fish Growth Performance: We assess the growth rates and feed conversion ratios of fish fed with FPH-supplemented diets compared to those fed with conventional diets. Improved growth performance indicates the nutritional benefits and efficacy of FPH in enhancing fish productivity.

For example, in a recent pilot study conducted in collaboration with a commercial fish farm, we observed a 30% reduction in disease incidence rate among fish populations fed with FPH-supplemented diets compared to those fed with conventional diets.antibiotic usage decreased by 40% in the FPH-treated group, while fish growth performance improved by 15% 

In the next year, key barriers to our goals include:

-   Financial Constraints: Scaling up the production of fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) requires significant investment in infrastructure, equipment, and research. Limited financial resources may hinder our ability to expand production capacity and reach broader markets.

-   Regulatory Hurdles: Compliance with regulatory frameworks governing aquaculture additives and antibiotics may pose challenges, particularly in obtaining approvals and certifications for FPH products. Delays in regulatory processes could impede market entry and adoption.

To overcome these barriers, we plan to pursue the following strategies:

-       Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with investors, industry partners, and government agencies can provide access to funding, expertise, and regulatory support. By leveraging external resources and networks, we can accelerate the development and commercialization of our solution.

-       Research and Development Grants: Securing grants and funding from research institutions, foundations, and government agencies can support ongoing R&D efforts to optimize production processes, enhance product efficacy, and address regulatory requirements.

We are applying to The Trinity Challenge because it provides a unique opportunity to leverage collective expertise, resources, and networks to address complex global health challenges such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in aquaculture. This challenge aligns closely with our mission to develop and promote sustainable solutions for disease management in aquaculture while mitigating the risks associated with antibiotic resistance.

One of the main barriers we face is the need for funding to support research and development, production scale-up, and market expansion efforts. The Trinity Challenge can help us overcome this barrier by providing access to funding opportunities, grants, and investment capital to accelerate the development and implementation of our solution.

Another challenge is navigating regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements governing aquaculture additives and antibiotics. The Trinity Challenge can support us in navigating these complexities by providing guidance, expertise, and connections to regulatory authorities and industry partners, facilitating the approval process for our products and ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations.

1. World Aquaculture Society (WAS): As a leading international organization in aquaculture research, education, and outreach, collaborating with WAS can provide access to a global network of aquaculture professionals, expertise in sustainable aquaculture practices, and opportunities for knowledge-sharing and dissemination.

2.   Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA): GAA is a leading organization in promoting responsible aquaculture practices and certification standards. Partnering with GAA can provide access to industry expertise, certification programs, and market insights, helping to validate and promote the sustainability and marketability of our solution.

3.   Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: The Gates Foundation supports initiatives aimed at improving global health, nutrition, and agricultural productivity. Collaborating with the Gates Foundation can provide access to funding, technical expertise, and strategic partnerships to address challenges related to antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture, particularly in low-resource settings.

4.     Wellcome Trust: Wellcome Trust funds research and innovation to improve global health outcomes, including efforts to address antimicrobial resistance. Partnering with Wellcome Trust can provide funding, expertise, and access to a global network of researchers and policymakers working on antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture and public health.