Imugene’s vaccines for pigs
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome
The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus is viewed by many veterinarians as the most damaging disease affecting the worldwide pig industry and causes losses of up to US$1 billion every year, and US$550-750 million in the US alone.
The disease is characterised by abortion, premature farrowing, stillborn piglets and respiratory disease. Economic losses are caused through death and chronic poor performance of nursing and weaned pigs.
There is no current effective treatment or vaccine for the viral infection. Vaccines developed to date have suffered from either poor performance or safety problems.
For 20 years there has been little success in economical and effective control of this highly variable viral disease. Attempted control of PRRS on the farm using management processes have been tedious, labour intensive and have met with limited success.
There is a desperate need for an effective vaccine that is easy to administer, safe and allows vaccinated pigs to be differentiated from infected pigs.
Imugene’s PRRS vaccine aims to meet these needs.
Imugene’s vector based PRRS vaccine
Imugene’s PRRS vaccine is based on the Porcine Adenoviral Vector (PAV), which delivers selected genetic PRRS material to the pig to stimulate its immune system and protect against the disease caused by the PRRS virus. Results of recent trials demonstrate it provides a very high degree of protection when two doses are administered either orally or by injection.
Swine influenza vaccines
Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs and outbreaks occur throughout many parts of the world.
Imugene’s swine influenza vaccine development program commenced in early 2008. In July 2009, Imugene completed the laboratory construction of vaccines for two strains (H1N1 and H3N2) of the disease. Although swine influenza vaccination is routine in many countries, new strains of the disease create a demand for additional vaccines.
Our swine influenza vaccines are now ready to progress to animal trials for efficacy testing.
Pig Health Product and Vaccine Market
Pork is the world's most widely eaten meat: The total value of the global pig health products market is estimated to be US$4.45 billion each year.
The global market for biological products is projected to grow substantially over the next five years, while medicinal feed additive markets (antibiotics) are projected to significantly reduce. Growth in the biological products market will include new vaccines for emerging diseases such as Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) and biological productivity enhancers replacing in-feed antibiotics.