On March 13, a team of scientists from the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center in La Crosse, Wis., was recognized for 12 years of rigorous research that helped lead to the approval by the Food and Drug Administration of the first waterborne drug for fish diseases in more than 20 years. 

The drug, 35% PEROX-AID®, a product of EKA Chemical, Inc, in Marietta, Ga., was approved recently for use in three diseases of freshwater fish and their eggs that, left untreated, cause significant losses to the $1 billion (2006) U S. aquaculture industry. State and federal natural-resource agencies responsible for fish hatchery programs benefit from more effective and efficient production, including endangered and threatened species broodstock protection, and the public benefits from healthy fish released into the wild for recreation through restoration programs.

"The scientists at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center did an excellent job completing the major data requirements for obtaining this most significant approval. The 35% PEROX-AID® approval is a tremendous example of a public research facility cooperating with a private entity to gain results that will benefit the propagation of finfish for public good, including fisheries restoration and enhancement," said Rosalie Schnick, national coordinator for Aquaculture New Animal Drug Applications, Michigan State University.

Dr. Gingerich, lead researcher on the project, and his team members were recognized for their achievements from Eka Chemicals at a ceremony at the Center. The USGS scientists include Dr. Gingerich, Verdel Dawson, Mark Gaikowski, Wendy Larson, Jeffrey Meinertz, Jeffrey Rach, Susan Schleis, Larry Schmidt and Theresa Schreier.

USGS began this research in 1994 in response to a request by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies that state natural-resource agencies needed specific drugs to combat specific fish diseases. USGS scientists completed target animal-safety studies on many freshwater fish species, conducted critical laboratory and field-efficacy studies, and completed a comprehensive environmental assessment of hydrogen peroxide use in aquaculture. Eka Chemical Inc.completed the requirements for drug manufacturing and worked with Schnick to complete the requirements for human food safety. Under the Minor Use Minor Species Animal Health Act as administered by the FDA, Eka Chemicals Inc. has an exclusive right for seven years of marketing for the approved indications beginning on the date of approval. This privilege is extended to drug sponsors to encourage the development of drugs with limited economic potential due to their restricted market. The drug is expected to be available to commercial and public aquaculture in late winter or early spring.

Dr. Gingerich agrees with Schnick that the approval for this new aquaculture drug is unique because it is so comprehensive. He credits the FDA reviewers and policy makers for being open to the concept of broad drug approvals for aquaculture drugs.

Private aquaculture will also benefit from approval of the new drug. According to industry figures, uncontrolled diseases cause around $100 million in losses in the catfish industry alone. Half of the reported disease cases were attributed to the three diseases this new drug can treat: bacterial gill disease and external columnaris disease of fish, and saprolegniasis on fish eggs.

Researchers at UMESC developed the data that resulted in the approval for the drug, with financial support through the Federal-State Aquaculture Drug Approval Partnership Project.

Dr. Michael Jawson, UMESC center director, noted that this approval is a critical step forward in helping control diseases in commercially and publicly raised fishes. Broad use approval is unique and significant for U.S. aquaculture in that it covers two fish life stages – eggs and fish – of a number of cultured freshwater fish species for three separate diseases. Fish commonly afflicted with these diseases include trout, salmon, steelhead, channel catfish, and tilapia.

For more information on the Aquaculture Drug Research and Development Program at the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center go to http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/aquatic/aquaculture_drug.html