Kennebec River Biosciences Licensed by USDA for Aquatic Vaccines

Posted on May 31, 2016 in News | 0 comments

Strain-specific vaccines now available internationally and in all US states Richmond, Maine — Kennebec River Biosciences’ announced today that it is now fully approved by the USDA’s Center for Veterinary Biologics to produce autogenous vaccines for fish. This approval greatly expands KRB’s ability to design and provide custom, strain-specific health solutions both to the aquaculture sector and to resource agencies worldwide. Unlike others, KRB CustomTM vaccines target the specific strains of bacteria and/or virus found at the client’s farm or facility. KRB’s veterinarians have made fish vaccines in this way for years, for clients in states where they were licensed. Now, KRB CustomTM autogenous fish vaccines are available in all U.S. states, as well as internationally. Susan Marcquenski, a Fish Health Specialist from Wisconsin, praises KRB for their “consistent, extremely effective autogenous vaccines.” A key advantage of KRB CustomTM vaccines is their connection to KRB’s experienced, high-throughput laboratory. The largest commercial fish health lab in the Americas, KRB has performed diagnostics and inspections for over 20 years, and offers more USDA-APHIS approved assays for export testing than any other lab. “Accurate detection and diagnosis is a core competency for us,” says Dr. Cem Giray, COO and Laboratory Manager. “By sampling on a regular basis and by producing our vaccines from recent, farm-specific isolates, we provide our clients with a precisely targeted solution.” To produce their vaccines, scientists at Kennebec River Biosciences use the pathogens most recently isolated from fish at individual farms or hatcheries. After identification, characterization and subsequent growth under optimized culture conditions, candidate organisms are inactivated and included in a vaccine. Each vaccine serial is rigorously tested to ensure its quality as well as its safety in fish. KRB clients praise the company’s proactive, full-service approach to fish health. According to George Nardi, founder of Great Bay Aquaculture, KRB provides “solutions for health needs that are tailored to my business.” Greg Lambert of Cooke Aquaculture USA, a longtime client, says “the personal relationships are excellent as is the regulatory assistance in determining what testing is required for a given situation. The vaccine production incorporated recently is an added bonus. Additionally, KRB is very flexible in working around our schedule which is always appreciated.” KRB can produce either immersion or injectable custom vaccines. Immersion vaccines are administered to fish through the gills and the gut by exposing fish to specific dilutions of the vaccine in hatchery water for a specific period of time. According to Dr. Peter Merrill, a KRB veterinarian and Director of Regulatory Affairs, “the use of immersion vaccines in fish as small as 5 grams can be an important factor in an integrated fish health management program.” Injectable vaccines are typically administered through intraperitoneal injection in larger fish,...

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Open Positions at Kennebec River Biosciences: Lab Technician, Molecular Biologist

Posted on May 19, 2016 in News | 0 comments

UPDATE – THESE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN FILLED. Richmond, Maine — Kennebec River Biosciences, an aquatic animal health testing laboratory and USDA-licensed producer of autogenous fish vaccines, is now hiring for the following two positions:  Laboratory Technician, and Molecular Biologist.  Both positions are at KRB’s facility in Richmond. Details of each position are as follows: Molecular Biologist Growing global aquatic animal health company seeking a motivated individual with experience in molecular biology. Undergraduate degree and related laboratory experience, interest in microbiology, ability to work in a team environment, accuracy, efficiency and good work ethics required. Eligible candidate must be able to carry out current protocols and optimize/develop new molecular assays, problem-solve, work independently, prioritize tasks and train/supervise staff. Salary commensurate with experience. Job Type: Full-time Required experience:  2+ years in molecular biology Required license or certification: Driver’s license Required education: Bachelor’s degree or higher Laboratory Technician Entry-level position in aquatic animal health laboratory. An interest in microbiology, ability to follow protocols and perform repetitive tasks, attention to detail, accuracy, efficiency and good work ethics required. Educational background in Microbiology or Biological Sciences and/or laboratory experience preferred. Position activities consist of laboratory preparation and clean-up, finfish and shellfish necropsy, sample collection and processing, and preliminary laboratory evaluations. Moderate lifting, physical activity and some travel also required. Salary commensurate with experience. Job Type: Temporary Required license or certification:  Driver’s...

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KRB Hires Mandy Hufstader as Laboratory Technician

Posted on May 11, 2016 in News | 1 comment

Scientist eager to “develop skills and contribute to a dynamic team” Richmond, Maine — Kennebec River Biosciences today announced its hiring of Mandy Hufstader as clinical laboratory technician. Hufstader has an extensive background in biological laboratories like KRB, having worked as a lab technician for 15 years in her native Australia. Most recently, she worked as teaching services coordinator at the University of Melbourne’s Department of Zoology. In this capacity she provided support to both undergraduate practical classes and to departmental research projects, supervised other laboratory staff, and handled purchasing, procurement and equipment maintenance. Prior to her years at the University, Hufstader had worked at the Bartter Vaccine Production Laboratory, at the Cancer Research Unit and Microbiology/Virology Research Laboratory at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, and at the Royal Children’s Hospital. “KRB offers me a challenging opportunity in biological sciences where I can develop my skills, and contribute to a dynamic laboratory team,” said Hufstader. “It’s an excellent fit for me.” “Mandy is conscientious, efficient and pleasant to be around,” said Lab Director Dr. Cem Giray. “She has quickly become a very liked and respected member of our team and no doubt well-placed to soon take on a leadership role in our company.” Hufstader’s background will help Kennebec River Biosciences continue to grow its capacity to provide top-quality diagnostics and inspections for aquatic species, as well as its first-in-class USDA-licensed autogenous vaccines. By identifying viral or bacterial pathogens of concern and by isolating the specific strain(s) found at a client’s facility, KRB is able to target its vaccines to the precise needs of the customer. Hufstader enjoys camping and travel. She has served as an emergency warden, holds First Aid Level 2 competency, and is an avid distance...

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