Poland-based Proteon Pharmaceuticals (India) plans to set up a fully functional plant in Maharashtra to produce an antibacterial solution for livestock by 2023.
A bacteriophage technology company for livestock farming and aquaculture aims to improve the food safety standard of animal products by reducing the usage of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risk in poultry, dairy, and aqua.
It provides an innovative, safe and effective antibacterial solution as bacteriophages which are an alternative to antibiotics to control the pathogenic bacteria.
The company is also looking to scale up its operations in South-East Asia, especially India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and neighbouring countries.
The growing demand for packaged and processed meat has pushed the livestock farm owners to produce antibiotic-free meat to match consumers’ demand. However, bacteriophages being an innovative new product for the Indian market, the acceptance of the product has been slow as customers are not fully aware of the benefits.
Diseases caused by Salmonella and E. coli are the major challenges faced by poultry producers. The infection caused by these bacteria not only impacts poultry’s health but also the profitability of the producer and consumers’ health.
Proteon introduced Bafasal+G® into the Indian market a few years back and last year Bafacoltm was launched as a feed additive for poultry to control infection.