Vaccine development at Moredun – new report identifies opportunities

A new report has highlighted a huge opportunity for the future development of a number of new vaccines at Moredun. The report was commissioned by Moredun to help it identify ways to maximise the fruits of it’s research and turn potential animal health products into commercial reality.

Moredun has a very strong history of applied research and in translating its research into practical outputs such as diagnostic tests and vaccines. The focus over most of its existence has been on the control of endemic diseases in livestock, which remain as major constraints on the profitability and sustainability of UK livestock enterprises. Moredun has had previous success in moving vaccine research findings into commercial success (Pasteurella iron regulated proteins, Toxoplasma and Rotavirus vaccines) and is keen to continue developing new and improved vaccines in the future. Moredun has therefore commissioned, through Genecom, an independent review of the current position and an analysis of strategies for managing potential vaccine opportunities.

The report showed that there were a significant number of Moredun research projects with vaccine related opportunities and recommended that these projects could be moved into a vaccine-dedicated, commercial management vehicle. The early targets of this proposed vehicle include new or improved vaccines for pneumonia (Pasteurella multocida), Enzootic Abortion of Ewes (Chlamydophila abortus) and Caseous lymphadenitis (Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis) and nematode parasites.

It is hoped that this report will help Moredun continue to maximise the commercial outcomes to it’s research in the future.