Development of attenuated bovine herpesvirus-4 as a safe, inexpensive, single dose vaccine to control Streptococcus suis infection in domestic pigs
Lead Participant:
THE VACCINE GROUP LIMITED
Abstract
Vaccines are one of medicine's greatest triumphs, having led to the virtual eradication of several deadly
bacterial diseases. However, most vaccines in use today were developed by techniques pioneered over 100
years ago and do not represent the full potential of the field. Bovine herpes virus vaccines (BoHV-4) are one of
the most promising classes of new vaccines, combining durability of immunity with low costs of manufacture.
In this project, we will develop a novel BoHV-4 vaccine against S. suis - a major disease affecting pig farmers
worldwide and a dangerous zoonotic pathogen in humans. The applicants will develop the novel vaccine using
immunogenic S. suis proteins and then test it in pigs to convincingly demonstrate both efficacy and a
quantifiable reduction in antibiotic usage. Our objectives are firstly to commercialize the vaccine within 3 years
post-project and secondly establish it as a flagship product within our powerful BoHV-4 platform which can be
targeted at many other serious bacterial infections affecting both animal and human health. The project is
innovative in that there are currently no effective vaccines for the treatment and prevention of S. suis in pigs
bacterial diseases. However, most vaccines in use today were developed by techniques pioneered over 100
years ago and do not represent the full potential of the field. Bovine herpes virus vaccines (BoHV-4) are one of
the most promising classes of new vaccines, combining durability of immunity with low costs of manufacture.
In this project, we will develop a novel BoHV-4 vaccine against S. suis - a major disease affecting pig farmers
worldwide and a dangerous zoonotic pathogen in humans. The applicants will develop the novel vaccine using
immunogenic S. suis proteins and then test it in pigs to convincingly demonstrate both efficacy and a
quantifiable reduction in antibiotic usage. Our objectives are firstly to commercialize the vaccine within 3 years
post-project and secondly establish it as a flagship product within our powerful BoHV-4 platform which can be
targeted at many other serious bacterial infections affecting both animal and human health. The project is
innovative in that there are currently no effective vaccines for the treatment and prevention of S. suis in pigs
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
---|---|---|
THE VACCINE GROUP LIMITED | £576,334 | £ 403,434 |
  | ||
Participant |
||
GRAPHENERGYTECH LTD | ||
GLOBAL CITIES LIMITED | ||
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH | £294,350 | £ 294,350 |
People |
ORCID iD |
Janet Forbes (Project Manager) |