Ontario innovator developing new anti-microbials for poultry

The Canadian government is investing $3.4 million to help Mississauga, Ont.’s AbCelex Technologies develop a new line of anti-microbial feed additives to help control disease outbreaks in poultry flocks.

The company is developing a line of innovative non-antibiotic, non-hormonal additives that are specifically targeted at Campylobacter and Salmonella, two of the most common food-borne bacteria that infect poultry. The new anti-microbials (called “nanobodies”) are expected to result in healthier poultry and improve food safety.

“Our Government is committed to positioning Canada as a global leader for innovation – one that creates well-paying jobs, drives growth across all industries and improves the lives of all Canadians. Today’s announcement is a prime example of that priority in action: these innovations will reduce the use of antibiotics and result in safer food, a healthier population and a more productive agricultural economy,”says Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

“We are very appreciative to be a recipient of this important funding. With this visionary contribution and other strategic investments, AbCelex Technologies is well positioned to advance its platform technology and develop next-generation biological products needed for improved human health and a reduction in healthcare costs as a result of food contamination,” adds Saeid Babaei, President & CEO of AbCelex Technologies.

This project will be conducted in collaboration with the International Vaccine Centre at the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Toronto and Colorado Quality Research Inc. Funding for the project comes from the AgriInnovation Program (Research and Development Stream) as part of the Growing Forward 2 agricultural policy framework.