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.