'Blue biotech' entrepreneurs assemble for US innovation studio
A Canadian company developing oral aquaculture vaccines using engineered microalgae delivery systems is one of 10 taking part in a “blue biotech” innovation studio that started in the US state of Maine this week.
SEVO Bioscience’s Kyvax microalgae-based solution is said to act as the producer and carrier of antigens capable of immunising farmed fish against disease over their lifetime.
The company says Kyvax works by engaging the immune system through Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT), providing effective protection against disease without relying on chemicals. It can be easily delivered orally by mixing directly into standard fish feed, providing farmers with in-sea vaccination applicable throughout the full life cycle without additional handling.
High-value sectors
The innovation studio, organised by global aquaculture investor Hatch Blue in partnership with Maine's Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and supported by Maine Technology Institute, is designed to accelerate the application of marine resources into high-value sectors, supporting companies to grow into investable, market-ready businesses.
The inaugural cohort brings together three teams from Maine, three from the wider northeast United States area, and others from Norway, Canada and Germany. The companies are working across algae innovation, aquaculture health, biomaterials, and marine circularity.
They include Salmonics, a Maine company that is developing fish-derived biomedical materials, including veterinary surgical products built from aquaculture byproducts.
Norwegian company CapiPro, which focuses on sludge-to-protein bioconversion for salmon farming through high-efficiency polychaete (marine worm) production, is also taking part.
First of its kind
During the programme, founders will engage in intensive one-to-one mentorship with industry leaders, visit regional seafood and seaweed processors, and gain exposure to Maine’s leading marine laboratories and research institutions.
“What’s particularly exciting about this programme is that it’s the first studio of its kind focused specifically on blue biotechnology,” said Dylan Terry, studio director at Hatch Blue. “We’ve brought together a really strong group of companies working across algae innovation, aquaculture health, biomaterials and marine circularity. The aim is to give these founders the time, mentorship and industry connections needed to help turn promising marine technologies into scalable companies.”
A testbed state
Maine combines abundant marine resources, world-class research institutions, and a strong coastal business community, with close geographic and cultural ties to the ocean.
“Maine is emerging as the nation’s testbed for blue biotechnology innovation and startups – with abundant marine resources,world-class marine science, pilot facilities, and a collaborative innovation ecosystem,” said Beth Orcutt, vice president for research at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. “Having the teams here at Bigelow Laboratory this week, you can really feel the momentum building.”
The innovation studio participants will make pitches to potential investors at the North Atlantic Blue BioTech Summit in Portland, Maine, on March 19.
The studio cohort comprises:
- Salmonics (Maine, US)
- Atlantic Sea Solutions (Connecticut, US) – advancing seaweed-based edible coatings to extend produce shelf life and reduce food loss.
- MacroBreed (New York, US) – applying genomics to accelerate kelp breeding for improved yield and bioactive performance.
- RuMeverse (Maine, US) – integrating seaweed-based feed additives and sensors to improve dairy health and production.
- CapiPro (Norway)
- SEVO Bioscience (Canada)
- Kelpinor (Norway) – engineering seaweed-derived biostimulants optimised for vertical farming and hydroponic systems.
- Koralo (Germany) – producing functional nutrition ingredients through microalgae and mycelium co-fermentation, with industrial-scale manufacturing under way.
- Atlantic Blue Bio (Maine, US) – establishing a Maine-based biorefinery for high-purity fucoidan and alginate from farmed kelp.
- Kykloris (Massachusetts, US) – building modular systems to convert shellfish waste into high-performance chitosan at processing facilities.
