Wicklow man’s firm Auranta wins award for innovation

A BIOTECH firm co-founded by a Wicklow man has won a prestigious innovation award.

Dublin company Auranta has developed a range of animal feeds which boost the immune system and reduce the need for antibiotics. The business won the New Frontiers Award at the Irish Times Innovation Awards for its animal feeds for calves, poultry and pigs which are produced from plant extracts.

The company, a spin-out from NovaUCD, says its products – AuraCalf, AuraPoultry and AuraPig – reduce mortality while boosting gut health, immunity and performance.

Wicklow town man John Cullen, who is also the CEO, said the firm was thrilled to collect the award from what was a very strong shortlist.

‘Winning this award is a recognition of the hard work and dedication of our entire team in building and developing Auranta, which is shaping the future of agriculture through our animal feed products,’ he said.

‘Business is very good. Since we launched the technology internationally in Hanover in 2018, we have established connections in 23 countries from Europe to the Middle East to South East Asia. We are exporting to eight countries at present and we expect to be exporting to the remainder by early 2021. Our products are manufactured in Ireland by our Partners Bioscience Nutrition in Limerick, who have been a tremendous support to us, since we started the company,’ said Mr Cullen.

Auranta follow a science based approach and collaborate closely with a number of agricultural research institutions and universities to develop and test their products. They also continue to develop animal gut health products for new markets and applications.