Research and development will be based at Onda’s facility in Souris, Prince Edward Island.
Photo: Onda
Onda, a Canadian contract research organization focused on aquaculture health and innovation, has been awarded an Ignition Fund grant to support the development of rapid diagnostic test kits for fish and shellfish diseases.
The Ignition Fund, administered by Prince Edward Island economic development agency Innovation PEI, provides seed funding to early-stage ventures aiming to launch new products or technologies. Through this funding, Onda will work on creating portable, easy-to-use test kits that can deliver quick, on-site results for aquaculture producers.
Currently, disease detection in aquaculture often depends on laboratory testing, which can be time-consuming and limit producers’ ability to respond swiftly. Onda’s diagnostic kits aim to address this gap by offering a more accessible and timely solution for monitoring aquatic animal health, the organisation said.
“Aquaculture is a vital industry for Atlantic Canada, and ensuring the health of farmed fish and shellfish is essential for sustainability and economic growth,” said Myrna Gillis, CEO of Onda, via a press release. “This grant from the Ignition Fund allows us to accelerate the development of rapid, reliable diagnostic solutions that will empower producers with real-time health monitoring tools.”
Research and development will be based at Onda’s facility in Souris, Prince Edward Island. The company said it plans to collaborate with industry partners, government bodies, and academic institutions to refine and validate the test kits before commercial launch.
“We are grateful for the support of Innovation PEI and the Ignition Fund as we continue our mission to advance aquaculture science,” said Dr. Jordan Poley, Director of LabTech at Onda, who is leading the diagnostic test development. “This funding is a testament to the potential of our research to drive meaningful impact in the industry.”
