GALVmed, universities, Biovet advance next-generation HS vaccine to strengthen livestock health and productivity

AFRICA – GALVmed has signed a new agreement with the University of Toronto, Engineered Antigens Inc., and Biovet to accelerate the development and commercialisation of a next-generation vaccine against haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS), a major livestock disease affecting production systems in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The partnership will see Biovet lead safety, efficacy, and field trials, as well as the process toward market authorisation, while GALVmed supports downstream development and deployment. 

HS, caused by Pasteurella multocida, is a highly fatal bacterial disease in cattle and buffalo, often linked to seasonal outbreaks and high mortality rates. 

It is also associated with broader respiratory disease complexes, making it a key constraint to livestock productivity and feed efficiency. 

For feed and animal health systems, HS presents a dual challenge. 

Disease outbreaks reduce feed intake, impair weight gain, and increase mortality, directly lowering feed conversion efficiency and raising production costs. 

Preventive vaccination is therefore critical to stabilising demand for feed inputs and improving overall herd performance. 

The candidate vaccine is based on a novel antigen target identified on HS-associated strains. 

It has shown strong protection in cattle against lethal challenge from the two main serogroups responsible for the disease. 

Unlike conventional bacterin vaccines, which are strain-specific and may pose safety concerns, the new approach is designed to deliver broader protection and greater consistency. 

Steve Wilson said the new solution addresses long-standing limitations in existing vaccines.

“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. ”

Current HS vaccines in many low- and middle-income countries rely on locally produced bacterins tailored to circulating strains. 

While widely used, these products can face challenges in standardisation, scalability, and consistent quality, limiting their effectiveness across diverse production systems. 

Trevor Moraes highlighted the progress toward commercial deployment.

“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.”

The development of a more effective HS vaccine could significantly improve livestock productivity and stabilise feed demand across affected regions. 

HS outbreaks can cause mortality rates of up to 80% in severe cases, disrupting herd structure, reducing short-term feed demand, and increasing replacement costs. 

Improved vaccination coverage is expected to reduce these shocks, supporting more predictable feed consumption and investment in commercial feeding systems. 

Raches Ella said the collaboration brings together key capabilities.

“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.”

By improving disease control, the vaccine is expected to enhance feed conversion efficiency, reduce losses, and support the transition toward more intensive and semi-intensive livestock systems, where consistent animal health is essential for optimising nutrition and productivity.

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