The Pirbright Institute has joined a European Union-funded project which will study next-generation vaccines against African swine fever (ASF).
Backed by support from Horizon Europe and led by the biotechnological pharmaceutical company, HIPRA, the four-year VAX4ASF project builds on the potential of live attenuated vaccines to develop an effective, enduring, and secure solution against ASF virus, contributing to improving animal welfare, global economic stability, and strengthening rural communities.
ASF has impacted 52 countries across five world regions, resulting in over 126,000 pig and 30,000 wild boar infections, with more than 1,809,000 animal losses since January 2021, as outlined in the most recent report from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
The collaboration aims to develop a next-generation vaccine against ASF virus, finding a means to eradicating the disease globally.
The goal of VAX4ASF is to provide a definitive, effective, and safe solution against the highly contagious, unpredictable, and complex ASF virus that affects pigs and wild boars. The project aims to innovate based on previous vaccination approaches and strategies with the potential for success.
To address the challenges posed by an innovative vaccination approach, VAX4ASF brings together 17 partners from European Union countries, the United States and Kenya, in an international consortium: Spain (Severo Ochoa Center for Molecular Biology, Sabiotec, Anprogapor, Interporc, HIPRA, Zabala Innovation), Germany (Ludwig-Maximilians Universitaet Muenche), United Kingdom (The Pirbright Institute), Kenya (International Livestock Research Institute), Sweden (SVA Swedish Veterinary Agency), Italy (In3diagnostic srl), Netherlands (Wageningen Bioveterinary Research - WUR), Hungary (Institute for Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation of MATE University, PROPHYL), Romania (Univ. of Life Sciences from Timisoara), Poland (NVRI (PIWET / National Veterinary Research Institut) and United States (Kansas State University). Renowned scientists and an innovative pharmaceutical company are committed to offering a ground-breaking vaccine for animal health.
The project seeks to make a significant impact on animal welfare, the global economy, and the wellbeing of rural communities.