PR83219

LOS ALAMOS, New Mexico and CARROS, France, March 10, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

-- Companies will work to bring RNA-based technologies to global large-scale aquaculture,

and focus on a solution for White Spot Syndrome Virus, a disease that can cause 50% crop loss

Pebble Labs USA Inc. (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2743830-1&h=328690367&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pebblelabs.com%2F&a=Pebble+Labs+USA+Inc ),

a biotechnology company developing solutions that address some of the

world's biggest challenges in agriculture and aquaculture with the mission of

improving global food security, and Virbac (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2743830-1&h=2718340619&u=https%3A%2F%2Fus.virbac.com%2Fhome&a=Virbac ) (VIRP),

the world's seventh largest veterinarian pharmaceutical group and a leading animal

health player in aquaculture, announced today that the companies entered into

agreements to co-develop and commercialize breakthrough solutions for disease

prevention in aquaculture.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1121316/Pebble_Labs_Aquaculture_Ponds.jpg

Demand for farmed aquaculture is expected to double worldwide by 2030,

requiring a 60% growth in production. Approximately 50% of aquaculture crops

are lost to disease, resulting in a $50B loss each year. Losses due to White Spot

Syndrome Virus in farmed shrimp alone are estimated to reach up to $3.5B each year.

Currently the aquaculture industry relies heavily on probiotics, synthetic

chemicals and antibiotics to fight the diseases which can be devastating to

shrimp farms worldwide. The Pebble Labs Directed Biotics(TM) technology

harnesses an animal's natural immunity with a bacteria and redirects it to

suppress White Spot Syndrome Virus.

"Pebble Labs has the first sustainable technology to safely and effectively

address the viral pathogens we are facing in large-scale aquaculture," said

Pierre Henning, DVM, Director of Aquaculture Division, Virbac. "Working with

Pebble Labs to share their solution with farmers is a high priority for our

aquaculture division this year, and we are committed to moving this project

along quickly."

Terms of the Joint Development Agreement include executing feasibility studies

to validate Pebble Labs technology, solution development plans, regulatory

clearance and approval, and discussion of future products and commercial

applications in addition to treating White Spot Syndrome Virus in aquaculture.

"Pebble Labs is looking forward to seeing Directed Biotics technology in the

pond this year," said David G. Morgan (https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2743830-1&h=720937076&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pebblelabs.com%2Fglobal-agricultural-leader-as-president%2F&a=David+G.+Morgan ), President, Pebble Labs (CN).

"This agreement with Virbac moves our revolutionary products toward the market

which will reduce the need for antibiotics in food production and improve food security

worldwide," said Morgan.

SOURCE: Pebble Labs USA Inc.

CONTACT: Colleen Rubart, crubart@pebblelabs.com, +1 (415) 283-7100, or Amina

Ennaciri, aennaciri@golin.com, +33 1 40 41 56 09