Canada funds $892K antimicrobial research for poultry health
Project targets E. coli and Salmonella alternatives to antibiotics
23 June 2026
1 minute read
By: The Canadian government has announced an investment of up to $892,122 for Amphoraxe Life Sciences Inc. to develop antimicrobial peptide formulations as alternatives to conventional antibiotics in poultry production, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said.
The funding comes through the AgriScience Program's Projects Component and was announced by Wade Grant, member of parliament for Vancouver Quadra, on behalf of agriculture minister Heath MacDonald.
Amphoraxe Life Sciences will develop and test up to ten antimicrobial peptide formulations targeting avian pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella Enterica, using sustainable production methods. The project aims to reduce dependence on traditional antibiotics and help address antimicrobial resistance in the poultry sector.
"Antimicrobial resistance is steadily eroding the effectiveness of the antibiotics poultry producers have relied on for decades," said Inanc Birol, scientific lead and chief science officer at Amphoraxe Life Sciences. "With this project, we are using advanced genomics, AI, and peptide engineering to build a new, Canadian-made toolbox so farmers can keep flocks healthy, protect food safety, and stay competitive without depending on traditional antibiotics."
"Support like this helps Canadian companies turn strong science into real products that benefit farmers and consumers," said Fatih Birol, CEO of Amphoraxe Life Sciences. "By advancing peptide-based alternatives to antibiotics, we can tackle antimicrobial resistance while building high-value jobs and exportable technologies here in Canada."
