ProImmune and Roslin Institute partner to advance veterinary immunology tools

UNITED KINGDOM – ProImmune, a global provider of immunological reagents and services, has announced a research collaboration with the Roslin Institute to advance veterinary immunology through the development and validation of novel species-specific Ankyron® binders.

The partnership aims to address a long-standing gap in veterinary and zoonotic disease research, where the limited availability of high-quality, species-specific reagents has constrained scientific progress. 

The new tools are expected to improve the study of animal immune systems and support the development of better prevention, control, and diagnostic strategies.

Under the agreement, the Roslin Institute will identify priority target proteins where research tools are lacking, drawing on its expertise in animal health and immunology. 

ProImmune will then generate highly specific Ankyron® binders using its in vitro high-throughput screening platform.

The binders will target proteins across multiple species, including pigs, cattle, poultry, and salmon. 

They are expected to be used in key laboratory applications, such as flow cytometry and immunofluorescence imaging, particularly when conventional antibodies are unavailable.

Ankyrons are small (~15 kDa) binding proteins designed for high specificity and rapid development. 

According to the partners, the technology enables cost-effective discovery of reagents across a broad range of protein targets and species, helping close a critical gap in veterinary research infrastructure.

Validated Ankyron binders will be made publicly available through the Immunological Toolbox, a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)-funded initiative jointly run by the Roslin Institute and the Pirbright Institute. 

The platform is designed to expand access to essential research tools and streamline veterinary immunology studies globally.

Professor Jayne Hope, Professor of Immunology at the Roslin Institute, said the lack of research tools has historically limited progress in veterinary immunology.

“Ankyrons are transforming reagent availability and accessibility across veterinary research and the wider life sciences community. A relative lack of research tools has hampered progress in veterinary immunology: the availability of Ankyrons will help to enable these studies and fill important gaps in the immune reagent portfolio.”

The collaboration is also positioned within the broader One Health framework, which links animal, human, and environmental health.

Dr Nikolai Schwabe, CEO of ProImmune, said the partnership supports sustainable agriculture and global food security objectives.

“This collaboration represents an important step toward the development of research tools which support sustainable farming, strengthen global food security, and improve the control of zoonotic diseases. 

By adopting a holistic view of animal and human health, this work aligns closely with the WHO One Health approach and helps lay the foundations for a healthier and more resilient future for both animals and people alike.”

Researchers expect the initiative to accelerate veterinary disease research by improving access to validated reagents and expanding experimental capabilities across species. 

The collaboration also highlights growing investment in enabling technologies that support livestock health, zoonotic disease control, and sustainable food systems.

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