EVAH secures US patent for in-feed sea lice treatment in salmon farming.
Canadian biotech firm EVAH has secured a core U.S. patent for its low-dosage in-feed medicinal treatment for sea lice in Atlantic salmon, a development the company says could transform parasite control in the global aquaculture sector.
Described as a “next-generation” product, EVAH’s solution—marketed under the name Barracuda—targets all parasitic stages of sea lice through medicated feed, eliminating the need for external bath or mechanical treatments. In tank studies, the product has shown more than 99% efficacy.
“Sea lice have been a persistent, expensive, and painful challenge for too long in the farming of Atlantic salmon,” said Michel Fortin, President & CEO of EVAH. “What’s needed is not just another workaround – but a real breakthrough.”
This one isn’t about salmon. It’s about how the news gets made
The company says the new approach reduces the need for handling fish, thereby improving welfare and cutting operational costs. It is designed for site-wide application and aligns with sustainability objectives by avoiding bioaccumulative chemicals and reducing reliance on wellboats and mechanical equipment.
Sea lice are estimated to cost the global salmon industry more than $4 billion annually. They remain a key biological bottleneck in production, particularly in Norway, Chile, Canada, and the UK, which collectively produce over 90% of the world’s farmed Atlantic salmon.
The U.S. patent marks a major milestone for EVAH’s intellectual property strategy. A PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) application has also been filed, with the company seeking protection in all relevant aquaculture regions.
Fortin added that the product offers “the efficacy of the best historical treatments, but with none of the environmental baggage and low risk factors for resistance.”
EVAH, based in Montreal, is focused on developing sustainable health technologies for aquaculture, poultry, and swine. The company’s leadership previously founded Prevtec Microbia, which was acquired by Elanco in 2019.