Stellar Biotechnologies develops aquaculture system for KLH manufacturing

Stellar Biotechnologies has developed a controlled, commercial-scale aquaculture system for fully sustainable Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) manufacturing.

The land-based aquaculture system is designed to support multiple generations of all stages of Megathura crenulata’s life cycle, producing pharmaceutical grade KLH in commercial scale.

Stellar president and CEO Frank Oakes said, “This is about controlling the lifecycle of the source animal, allowing Stellar to grow new generations of limpets spawned by parents that have never seen the ocean, thus ensuring that the pharmaceutical industry has ample supply of GMP grade KLH, made under controlled conditions, while protecting survival of a wild species.”

The great keyhole limpet is the common name of mollusk Megathura crenulata, which is KLH’s marine source.

Stellar aquaculture manager Brandon Lincucum said, “We’ve set the benchmark for KLH manufacturing and we’re proud to represent these new aquaculture and environmental milestones as well.”