Aquatic Health Innovation: Vaxxinova Advances in Tenacibaculosis Vaccine Development

Bergen, Norway, March 24, 2025 – On March 11, at the Frisk Fisk conference in Tromsø, Norway, Vaxxinova presented advances in the development of a vaccine against Tenacibaculum finnmarkense. The presentation, given by Vaxxinova BU Aqua Diagnostics Manager Helge-Andre Erikstad, highlighted promising results from vaccine prototypes against this bacterium, including high levels of protection under experimental conditions.

Frisk Fisk is an annual conference dedicated to fish health and aquaculture, where industry experts gather to discuss the biggest challenges and advances in aquatic health. Vaxxinova, as a leading developer of innovative solutions for animal health, actively participates in such events and shares its expertise and knowledge about vaccines against bacterial diseases in aqua.

The 2024 Fish Health Report lists tenacibaculosis as the tenth most important health problem in farmed salmon in Norway. There is currently no vaccine available against the disease, and there are no previously published results showing positive effects of vaccination against T. finnmarkense.

Some species within the Tenacibaculum genus negatively affect the welfare of salmon and lead to economic losses for farmers in Norway, Chile, Canada, and the rest of Europe. “Vaxxinova has extensive experience in developing vaccines against bacterial diseases, and we are confident that we can help limit these problems,” says Jaime Tobar, Director of R&D and Business Development for BU Aqua at Vaxxinova.

The vaccination study presented in Tromsø is part of a larger ongoing project in collaboration with Cermaq Group and the University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway.