Chilean fish farming taking an innovative step in controlling infestation of sea lice in salmonids

• ALPHA FLUX® from PHARMAQ, a new bath treatment for lasting prevention of infestation of sea lice in salmonids now available for customers in Chile.

PHARMAQ, part of Zoetis, today announced the launch of ALPHA FLUX® (Hexaflumuron 100 mg/ml) in Chile. The new parasiticide will help Chilean salmon farmers to control sea lice infestations, currently one of the major challenges for the industry.

"We have a continuous focus on bringing new and innovative products to the market, to support our customers in building a sustainable and profitable fish farming industry. Since the late 1980s we have been a major contributor to innovative products and solutions to the industry”, says Morten Nordstad, President of PHARMAQ.  “With ALPHA FLUX®,  we are applying our innovative science and focus on our customers’ most pressing challenges to find solutions for an area of high  need in fish health. Sea lice is recognized as one of the biggest threats to fish health and the main obstacle for growth of aquaculture in Chile”.

Hexaflumuron, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in ALPHA FLUX®, inhibits the synthesis of chitin, the structural component of the shell of the sea lice. Thus, the lifecycle of the sea lice is disrupted making it efficacious towards all juvenile stages of lice infesting the fish.

Guillermo Staudt, Managing Director PHARMAQ Chile, highlights that key efficacy studies in Chile showed a long period until next sea lice intervention following ALPHA FLUX® treatment. “Further, these trials did also show improved growth and fish welfare due to an extended period without sea lice infestations, less handling and fewer starvation periods.”

For further information, please contact:
Guillermo Staudt,
Managing Director PHARMAQ Chile
Mobile: +56 9 87293384

About Pharmaq, part of Zoetis
Pharmaq, part of Zoetis is the global leader in vaccines and innovation for aquaculture and part of Zoetis, the world leader in animal health. The company provides environmentally sound, safe and efficacious health products to the global aquaculture industry through targeted research and the commitment of dedicated people. Production facilities, administration and research and development activities are based in Norway with subsidiaries in Chile, United Kingdom, China, Vietnam, Turkey, Spain, Panama and Singapore. Pharmaq, part of Zoetis has approximately 300 employees. The company's products are marketed in Europe, North and South America, and Asia. We are a dynamic and innovative organization and take pride in supplying premium products and value-added services to our global customers. For more information, please visit us at www.pharmaq.com

About Zoetis
Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines, vaccines and diagnostic products, which are complemented by biodevices, genetic tests and a range of services. Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals in more than 100 countries. Building on more than 65 years of experience, we are the world leader in the Animal Health Industry. For more information, please visit us at www.zoetis.com