Phage Asia is a new alliance established to share knowledge and experience to help facilitate the regulatory approval of phages in Asia.
Phages offer an alternative approach to control Salmonella and other foodborne pathogens, contributing to the health and welfare of animals and safe food production, but their use is being held back by regulatory delays and a lack of awareness.
Phage Asia aims overcome these hurdles by educating regulators on how phages fit into the One Health approach to resolving the antimicrobial resistance crisis. Additionally, it aims to raise awareness within food value chains and to promote further research into phage use.
Raising phages’ profile
The new coalition plans to hold webinars and participate in various events, including regional meetings with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Environmental Program (UNDP), the four signatories of One Health.
Commenting on the establishment of the new organization, Chalita Wongpukdee, of Thai phage producer UniFAHS, and a founder member of Phage Asia, said: “By working together, we will realize the full potential of bacteriophages in Asia, contributing to the health and wellness of animals, people and planet.
Her words were echoed by fellow founding member Suresh Chitturi, Managing Director of Srinivasa Farms in India, who said that it was essential that the poultry sector in Asia benefited from the latest innovations in terms of disease management and provision of safe food.
