About Us

About Us_

We partner with companies, research centers, and producers to accelerate innovation in aquaculture. Through our R&D services in bioinformatics, molecular biology, and antibody development, we deliver tailored scientific support — from genome analysis to in vitro validation.

The team_

Jörn Bethke, PhD

CTO & Co-founder

Biologist specialized in host-pathogen interaction and bioinformatics.

Daniela Allerbon

CEO & Co-founder

Economist and Master in Communication, entrepreneur with over 8 years leading biotechnology and health projects in international markets.

Cristián Valenzuela, PhD

CSO & Co-founder

Biochemist, expert in fish immunology and molecular defense mechanisms.

Patricio Flores

Head of Bioinformatics

Biochemist with extensive expertise in genomics, bioinformatics, and protein design for aquaculture health. Experienced in vaccine development and genomic analysis.

Dina Beltrán

Head of Laboratory

Biotechnology engineer and molecular biologist with strong expertise in fish immunology, protein expression, and transcriptomic analysis.

Carla Gebetsberger

Coordinator of Operations

A +10 years project manager experienced in coordinating multidisciplinary teams and supporting fundraising processes. At Aquit, she leads operational execution and cross-team coordination.

Valentina Cavalotti Velasco

Administrative Assistant

Project manager with experience in strategic communication, organizational design, and coordination of high-impact collaborative projects.

Aquit was founded in 2022 by Jörn Bethke, Cristián Valenzuela, and Daniela Allerbon to bring a biotechnology breakthrough from the lab to the sea, and beyond.
The journey began years earlier, when scientists Jörn and Cristián discovered how to activate salmon’s natural immunity as a sustainable alternative to antibiotics. In 2022, they joined forces with Daniela to turn this discovery into a scalable solution for aquaculture.
Today, Aquit is advancing this innovation through AI-driven design, adapting it to multiple species and setting a new standard for preventive and sustainable food chain systems.
Aquit’s impact has been recognized globally with the Responsible Seafood Innovation Award from the Global Seafood Alliance and first place at The Ganesha Lab biotech accelerator.

2021_

Global Recognition

Scientists Jörn Bethke and Cristián Valenzuela uncover how to activate salmon’s natural immunity using a key protein, paving the way for a game-changing biotechnology solution. Aquit wins the Global Aquaculture Challenge, gaining international validation and support to bring the innovation to market.

2022_

Building the Team

Daniela Allerbon joins as CEO, uniting scientific and business leadership to scale the solution globally.

2023_

Industry Validation

Winner of the Responsible Seafood Innovation Award; in-vivo trials confirms the technology’s effectiveness and sustainability potential.

2024-2025_

Scaling Impact

Partnering with leading aquaculture producers and feed companies to bring antibiotic-free solutions to more markets.

The Road Ahead_

Expanding the reach of our technology, exploring new species, and continuing to push the boundaries of sustainable aquaculture—always guided by science, purpose, and impact.