ViroVet : Animal health company focused on combatting viral infections in livestock
LEUVEN, Belgium, October 21th, 2020 — ViroVet NV, a leading Belgian biopharmaceutical company active in the development of innovative vaccines and antiviral drugs for livestock, is proud to announce that it has successfully confirmed the efficacy of its porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) vaccine based on the PLLAV or plasmid-launched live attenuated virus technology.
ViroVet are pioneers in developing novel and innovative vaccines based on a unique and proprietary technology platform originating from the Rega Institute for Medical Research of the Leuven University (KU Leuven). With this technology platform, vaccines can be designed and produced faster and more cost-effectively. PLLAV vaccines are tailor-made and thermostable thereby removing any cold-chain requirement.
ViroVet completed a dose-ranging study in weaned piglets with its PLLAV-based PRRS vaccine. In this study, vaccine doses in the microgram range of naked DNA successfully induced a specific antibody response to the PRRS virus. In addition, interferon-gamma responses were also shown which clearly highlights the ability of the PLLAV vaccine to activate cell-mediated immunity. A single vaccine shot was found to be effective in attaining these responses.
Erwin Blomsma, CEO of ViroVet states "After our successful BVD studies confirming the potential of our antiviral drug, we are happy to reach strong proof-of-concept data on the vaccine side of our company as well."
Nesya Goris, CDO of ViroVet adds that "Injecting naked DNA and thereby triggering both arms of the immune system is quite exciting as cell-mediated immunity as well as antibody immunity play a critical role in protecting pigs from PRRS virus infection."
George Gunn, Chairman of the Board: "To take a novel and disruptive technology from research stage in academic labs to a successful proof-of-concept in swine in less than 4 years shows the potential of this PLLAV technology. In the next 12 to 15 months I expect that the company will be able to make a firm statement about its technology as well as its future."
About ViroVet
ViroVet is a biopharmaceutical company with a clear objective to develop innovative technologies to improve the health and value of livestock. The company is headquartered in Heverlee near Leuven, Belgium and continues to build on the livestock assets and know-how that it has accumulated since 2008 while adding new products, including vaccines, to the pipeline.
More information
Dr. Erwin Blomsma, CEO ViroVet NV
eblomsma@virovet.com
Ambachtenlaan 1, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium
Tel: +32 16 299 728
Twitter: @ViroVet