WildTechDNA launches portable DNA tester to revolutionise aquaculture disease management

WildTechDNA unveils ORYA, a handheld DNA testing device promising faster, broader pathogen detection for aquaculture farms, potentially transforming disease monitoring and response times.

Aquaculture producers may soon have a faster way to check for disease risks on site, after WildTechDNA launched ORYA, a handheld DNA testing platform that can screen for multiple pathogens in around 15 minutes.

The company says the system is designed to remove the need for conventional laboratory set-ups and specialist molecular skills, making routine health surveillance more practical in farms and processing settings. Its pitch is not simply speed, but the ability to combine rapid results with broader pathogen coverage, giving managers a clearer view of stock health before problems escalate.

Keith Liddiard, co-founder of WildTechDNA, said the value of the platform lies in “the combination of speed, breadth and simplicity”.

Initial applications are focused on salmon and shrimp, though the company says the technology can be adapted to other species and pathogen targets. WildTechDNA says ORYA uses isothermal DNA amplification and can operate without instruments, capital-intensive equipment or a cold chain.

The platform is intended for routine surveillance, suspected disease investigations and stock-movement checks, as well as for faster responses when nearby farms report infections. The company says the approach could support earlier intervention and reduce the commercial impact of outbreaks.

ORYA has already been shortlisted for the Responsible Seafood Innovation Awards, and WildTechDNA plans to demonstrate it at the Responsible Seafood Summit in Bangkok later this month.