Benchmark Holdings PLC Commercial scale field trial of sea lice treatment (0253Z)
12 December 2017 - 6:00PM
UK Regulatory
TIDMBMK
RNS Number : 0253Z
Benchmark Holdings PLC
12 December 2017
RNS
Benchmark Holdings plc
("Benchmark" or the "Company")
Benchmark announces the success of its next generation sea lice
treatment Ectosan(R) during its first commercial scale field
trials
Breakthrough development in addressing one of the salmon
industry's biggest disease challenges
Benchmark (AIM: BMK), the aquaculture health, nutrition, and
genetics business, is pleased to announce the results of its highly
successful first commercial scale field trial of its next
generation sea lice treatment in Norway.
Highlights
-- Treatment showed 100% efficacy against sea lice in the trial
-- Breakthrough development for Benchmark and for the salmon industry
-- Field trials to continue as part of regulatory process
-- Estimated GBP40-50m peak sales potential for Ectosan(R)
-- CleanTreat(R) system's proven ability to deliver the
treatment without ocean water contamination, underpins its
potential for commercial deployment across wider applications
Sea lice treatment
In this first field trial, Benchmark's total treatment solution
showed 100% efficacy and no environmental impact due to our
proprietary purification system, CleanTreat(R), which removes any
detectable traces of medicine from treatment water before it is
discharged into the ocean.
Together, Ectosan(R) and CleanTreat(R) are a ground breaking
development for the salmon industry, as sea lice is one of the
industry's biggest disease challenges. In 2016 sea lice infestation
resulted in a 5% contraction in the production of salmon in Norway,
equivalent to 70,000 tons or an estimated $500m at current market
prices (Source: Rabobank). There is a recognised lack of effective,
environmentally and welfare friendly solutions in the market, and
Ectosan(R) and CleanTreat(R) have the potential to address this
need. The Company believes that Ectosan(R) can achieve worldwide
peak sales of GBP40-50m. Benchmark will continue field trials in
key markets through 2018 and 2019.
CleanTreat(R)
CleanTreat(R) is Benchmark's proprietary purification system,
engineered to remove all medicinal components from the treatment
water. Following purification by the CleanTreat(R) system, the
water is tested to ensure no medicinal particles are detectable
before the water is discharged back into the ocean.
The system is the first of its kind to be used in aquaculture
and has applications beyond the Company's sea lice treatment.
Chemical based bath treatments that are released into the water are
one of the biggest objections to the aquaculture industry and
CleanTreat(R) works to solve this environmental challenge. The
Company is exploring other applications and routes to market for
this technology.
Malcolm Pye, CEO of Benchmark commented:
"This is major breakthrough for Benchmark and the salmon
industry. The combination of our next generation sea lice
treatment, together with CleanTreat(R) represents a
transformational change in the battle against one of the industry's
greatest challenges, and a big step towards a future where no
medicinal residues are discharged directly into the oceans. Given
its significance to the industry and interest expressed by our
customers, we expect to see substantial demand for the treatment
and look forward to providing the treatment more widely upon
regulatory approval."
ENDS
Benchmark Holdings plc Tel: 020 7920 3150
Malcolm Pye, CEO
Ivonne Cantu, Investor Relations Director
Rachel Aninakwah, Communications
Numis Tel: 020 7260 1000
Michael Meade / Freddie Barnfield
(NOMAD)
James Black (Corporate Broking)
MHP
Katie Hunt / Reg Hoare /Alistair de Tel: 020 3128 8742
Kare-Silver 07551 170 451
benchmark@mhpc.com
Notes to Editors:
Benchmark challenges the status quo in aquaculture. Since 2000,
Benchmark has consistently worked to build a technology-rich
platform in the areas of genetics, nutrition, animal health and
knowledge services, to serve its customers, helping them take
control of their biological environment to improve yield and
efficiency in a sustainable way.
The Company has leading positions in its core markets and
established R&D, manufacturing and distribution capabilities to
serve all the major aquaculture markets. Benchmark operates in 27
countries in five continents and as at 30 September 2017, it
employed 950 people.
For further information on Benchmark please visit
www.benchmarkplc.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
RESGGGGPPUPMPPG
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 12, 2017 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)
Benchmark (LSE:BMK)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Benchmark (LSE:BMK)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024