Cattle Vaccine Delivery System

About

About This cattle‐specific vaccine delivery system can readily deliver and express antigens against a range of diseases that affect cattle, offering the potential to provide long term immunity and protection. The Challenge Human health is intimately linked to animal health through the impact of infectious agents on livestock productivity and their potential for zoonosis. A major source of zoonotic infections is cattle which threaten human health through their capacity to transmit bacterial infections including E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Brucella and Mycobacteria. The use of vaccines is a well-established method of improving animal health and welfare and controlling zoonoses. Although subunit vaccines are considered safer than conventional attenuated or inactivated ones, they have a number of disadvantages including: low levels of immunogenicity; the need to use strong adjuvants; and, typically, a requirement for repeat dosing. Technology Most cattle are infected with the parasite Trypanosoma theileri; however it causes no ill effects. University of Edinburgh researchers have engineered this parasite to express ‘foreign’ molecules, i.e. immunogenic antigens from diseases that cause severe infections in cattle. When these recombinant parasites are introduced into cattle they express steady sustained levels of antigen in the blood stream producing a sustained immune response over time without the need for vaccine boosters. This system is flexible and can be adapted to deliver multiple antigens against a single host, or cocktails of antigens against a range of different pathogens. Exemplification Data Using versions of T. theileri expressing antigen at different stages of the parasite life cycle we have demonstrated that antigen secreted into the blood stream generates the highest antibody response. Additionally, antigen is expressed at levels safe and sustainable for 12 weeks post inoculation, at levels at least equivalent to those reported for conventional prime-boost immunisation strategy using the same antigen, and antigen-specific antibodies are generated.   IP Status An international patent application (Ref: WO2012/013939A1) has been filed. Development Status Comprehensive in vitro analysis and proof of principal studies in cattle Commercial Offering The University of Edinburgh is seeking commercial partners to license this technology and/or collaborate on further development of the technology for commercial use.