SciPhage is a pioneering Colombian company that has been leading the development of phage-based therapies in Latin America since 2014. We have made significant advancements in the field of bacteriophages applied to animal health, with a specific focus on poultry and aquaculture. Our research focuses on investigating the benefits and therapeutic potential of bacteriophages in controlling Salmonella enterica in poultry and Weissella tructae in aquaculture.

One of our products is SalmoFree for poultry, a patented product in Colombia, USA, and Brazil. SalmoFree is a phage cocktail designed to effectively control Salmonella, a pervasive problem in production due to its high mortality rates (ranging from 10% to 80%) in birds. The product has undergone successful validation in broilers, and ongoing validation studies are currently being conducted in layer hens and breeders. This validation process includes a safety study. For this study, we evaluated the effect of phages on 272 laying hens. Two groups were assessed: a control group and a treatment group, each consisting of 6 replicates of 23 hens. The treatment group was given SalmoFree® at weeks 2, 6, 14, 19, and 23 of bird age. In weeks 14, 19, and 23, two doses of SalmoFree® were administered with a three-day interval between them. Swabs and organs were analyzed to isolate Salmonella before each dose using traditional microbiology. The detection of phages was performed before and after the doses in weeks 2, 14, and 23. Additionally, we analyzed eggs to isolate Salmonella and detect phages in weeks 21, 22, and 24. Moreover, histopathology and serology assays were conducted on chickens at 1 day of age and hens at 24 weeks of age. Finally, we recorded production parameters (weight, food consumption, and egg production) for 24 weeks. During the study, no Salmonella was isolated, and no mortality associated with phage consumption was observed. Phages were detected 24 hours after the doses.

Furthermore, we are actively developing a product for aquaculture industry to control Weissella tructae in trout. This disease causes mortality in trout when the fish reach a weight higher than 150 g. Currently, research and validation studies are underway, and we anticipate obtaining valuable results. Samples of water and trout organs were collected from the Cundinamarca, Risaralda, and Antioquia providence in Colombia to isolate Weissella tructae bacteria and Weissella phages. Infection and one-step curves, host range studies, stability assessments, genome sequencing, and electron microscopy were performed to characterize the phage. We isolated 7 bacteria and purified 12 phages. Out of the 12 phages, 7 have the same host range, and the phages Sp-W001 and Sp-W002 showed better infection efficiency as well as stability in terms of temperature and pH. Based on these results, we propose a phage cocktail consisting of 2 phages to prevent weissellosis in trout in Colombia

Furthermore, SciPhage, as a biotechnology company, has successfully advanced in scaling up the production of its products while complying with relevant regulations. In May, the company inaugurated its production plant, which adheres to good manufacturing practices for animal feed. The setup of the plant posed a significant challenge for the company, as there were no similar plants in Colombia that could serve as a model. Moreover, it is a great milestone for the biotechnology industry in Latin America, as there are few phage production plants in the region. This plant was designed to meet part of Colombia's poultry demand with plans to expand its capacity up to fourfold. The production plant is projected to serve as the scaling and production unit for all portfolio developments of the company, as well as providing services to strategic partners. This work contributes to the understanding and practical application of bacteriophages as a promising alternative in animal health, emphasizing the importance of efficient and scalable production for commercial use.