Bilateral cooperation on fish vaccine development for Chinese aquaculture

China produced 717 thousand tons of marine fin fish at a market value of 744 mill USD in 2006 (FAO fish stat 2008). The production is estimated to grow several times within a timeframe of 5 - 10 years. Bacterial diseases cause losses in fish farming and a long list of bacteria has been isolated, including vibriosis, plus viral diseases are also emerging in aquaculture in China and other areas in South-East Asia. The project aim is to develop, document and license vaccine(s) against major diseases that cau se large losses for the aquaculture industry in China. The specific cause(s) of the diseases need to be confirmed, the antigens need to be identified/characterized, process technology for the antigens and formulation of the vaccines must be established, a s well as clinical tools (challenge and immunological methods) need to be developed in order to evaluate the efficacy of the vaccines. The vaccines will thereafter be documented and licensed, and implemented in the specific region. The entire project peri od, after the feasibility study (BILAT) is estimated to 5 years. During the initial phase (year 1), the aim is to identify central partners in a future consortium and identify their skills, experience, interest and devotion to such a project, plus identif y infrastructure in academic or private sector that can support the experimental test studies that are so important during the initial stage of such a project.