GALVmed has entered into a new agreement with the University of Toronto, and Engineered Antigens Inc, a spinoff company by University of Calgary and University of Toronto, as well as Biovet, to further develop a novel haemorrhagic septicaemia vaccine for use in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Under the new HS vaccine advancement effort Biovet will conduct safety and efficacy testing, including in the field, and lead the process to secure market authorisation.
The initial product development was supported by funds from the Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund of the Canadian International Development Research Centre to a team led by Dr Anthony Schryvers of the University of Calgary. GALVmed will now support the development and commercialisation of the vaccine in collaboration with the University of Toronto and the selected industrialisation partner, Biovet Private Limited, a BSL-3+Ag biocontainment facility supporting animal health vaccine production and large-animal testing in Malur, Karnataka, India.
The candidate vaccine is a novel target identified on the surface of haemorrhagic septicaemia-associated strains of Pasteurella multocida. It has demonstrated robust protection in cattle against lethal challenge with the two serogroups of Pasteurella responsible for HS.
Pasteurella multocida is a bacterial pathogen capable of infecting a wide range of wild and domestic animals, with diverse symptoms. In cattle, infections are primarily associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and haemorrhagic septicaemia. HS is characterized by seasonal outbreaks with a rapid onset and high mortality. The disease has devastating economic and cultural impacts on livestock-keeping communities across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
While vaccines against both bovine-associated P. multocida diseases are currently available, they are primarily limited to aluminium-adjuvanted whole killed bacteria, known as bacterins, or live attenuated strains. These vaccines offer serogroup specific protection, so responses only against the same strain type as in the vaccine, and can have safety concerns with adverse reactions after administration. In many low- and middle-income countries, HS bacterin vaccines are produced locally and tailored to circulating strains, creating challenges for standardisation of products and subsequent large-scale production, and also consistent quality control.
Dr Steve Wilson, Director of Research and Development at GALVmed said: ”Haemorrhagic septicaemia is a significant issue for cattle and buffalo in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, with current products often having constraints in terms of quality, safety and efficacy against circulating strains. The candidate vaccine developed by the University of Toronto will permit a standardised production process, and have cross-protection efficacy against HS causing Pasteurella strains. Biovet are an established manufacturer of HS vaccines and this new development will provide a next generation solution for their markets in Africa and Asia.”
Professor Trevor Moraes, of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto said: “This subunit-based protein vaccine has shown tremendous promise in protecting cattle from this devastating disease, and we are incredibly excited to advance to the final stage of development toward large-scale production and distribution in the low and middle income regions that need it most.”
Dr Raches Ella, Director at Biovet said: “This collaboration represents an important step toward delivering next-generation protection against haemorrhagic septicaemia. By uniting academic research, development expertise and real-world field testing, we are working to bring innovative and accessible preventive solutions to livestock producers facing this persistent and economically devastating disease.”
“Advancing the HS vaccine requires global vision and collective action. By joining forces with our international partners, we are committed to translate this vision into a reality.” Dr. Jalachari Ella, Director at Biovet said.
By combining academic innovation, development expertise and established manufacturing capacity, the partnership aims to deliver a safe, effective and scalable vaccine solution to help protect livestock, strengthen farmer livelihoods and support sustainable livestock systems in regions where HS remains a major constraint to productivity.
About GALVmed
The heart of agriculture in low- and middle-income countries is millions of hard-working small-scale livestock entrepreneurs who face challenges on many fronts. To increase their ability to manage livestock diseases of poultry, sheep & goats, and cattle, GALVmed partners with private and public organisations to improve availability, access, awareness, and adoption of quality livestock veterinary medicines in sub-Saharan Africa. This consists of bringing new therapeutics, diagnostics, or modern vaccine solutions to market, and building innovation into the veterinary medicines supply chains so that they support sustainable livestock development and improve livelihoods for small-scale livestock producers. GALVmed is funded by the Gates Foundation and the UK Government. For more information, please visit www.galvmed.org
About University of Toronto
Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto (U of T) is Canada’s leading institution of learning, discovery, and knowledge creation. With remarkable strengths across a broad range of disciplines, U of T is one of the few universities worldwide that can bring a comprehensive approach to solving complex social, economic, and health issues. Our researchers, scholars and innovators are internationally recognized for their ground-breaking contributions and represent the third largest research entity in North America with an annual budget of over $1.4B. The extraordinary breadth and depth of academic excellence across our three campuses and partner hospitals is visible in the local, national, and global impact of our scholars’ research. U of T’s global reputation as a top 25 research university, evidenced by the creation of over 1,100 patents over the last 10 years, has attracted over 800 industry partners from across Canada and worldwide.
About Biovet Pvt. Ltd.
Biovet is a pioneering, multi-product animal health company at the forefront of veterinary biological innovation for livestock, poultry, and companion animals. Headquartered in Malur, KIADB, Karnataka, the company is home to India’s first and the world’s second BSL-3+Ag large-animal Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine manufacturing facility, an advanced infrastructure that firmly establishes its leadership in high-biocontainment vaccine manufacturing.
With state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to veterinary biologicals, bio-vaccines, and comprehensive animal healthcare solutions, Biovet combines scientific excellence with global best practices. Its strong team of scientists, robust in-house R&D capabilities, strategic international collaborations, and uncompromising quality systems enable the development of high-impact vaccine solutions.
Committed to strengthening animal health ecosystems, Biovet enhances farm productivity, safeguards livestock economies, and contributes meaningfully to sustainable agriculture worldwide. For more information, visit www.biovet.in
Media contact for Biovet: Sheela Panicker | +91 98498 09594 | enright@enrightpr.com
For further press information on GALVmed, please contact: Beatrice Ouma, Senior Communications Manager, Tel: +254 (0) 703700732, Email: Beatrice.ouma@galvmed.org