Onda expands Tenacibaculum research platform with two new disease models.
Canadian aquaculture research company Onda has expanded its Tenacibaculum study platform with two new disease models targeting Tenacibaculum dicentrarchi and Tenacibaculum finnmarkense, the company announced on Tuesday.
The additions build on Onda’s existing Tenacibaculum maritimum challenge model, first introduced in 2024, and are designed to support vaccine, treatment, and management research across major salmon farming regions including Chile, Norway, Canada, and Northern Europe.
Tenacibaculum, a bacterial group associated with severe skin lesions, reduced welfare, and high mortality in fish, remains one of aquaculture’s costliest health challenges. Industry losses linked to the disease in salmon alone are estimated in the tens of millions of dollars annually.
Dr Fabio Zanuzzo, Director of Aquatic Animal Health at Onda, said the new models aim to provide “clarity in the fight against tenacibaculosis” by helping clients evaluate potential interventions under controlled conditions.
Onda CEO Myrna Gillis said the expansion reinforces the company’s focus on developing reliable research tools for the aquaculture sector. “By equipping our clients with robust research platforms, we help them bring effective solutions to market faster,” she said.
Based in Prince Edward Island, Onda operates what it describes as the world’s largest aquatic containment facility dedicated to aquaculture research, offering bespoke bench-top and in-tank trials across multiple species. The company holds certifications including GLP, GMP, and ACQ2/3.
