Scaling up the bioproduction process of an in-ovo nanovaccine to protect broilers against avian colibacillosis in poultry farms in low- and middle-inc

 

Avian colibacillosis is one of the most prevalent diseases in the poultry industry, particularly in tropical areas like Brazil, resulting in high rates of morbidity and mortality on poultry farms and leading to substantial economic losses, negative impacts on animal welfare, and risks to human health. With the global consumption of chicken meat rising, poultry production has been pushed to intensive practices, mainly in low- and middle-income countries where this industry is in great expansion. This growth increases the level of risk, but the only available vaccine in the veterinary market against avian colibacillosis has a low efficacy rate of 30%-40%. Moreover, its use in chicks has potential hazards and risks of persistent contamination. The use of antimicrobials is a widespread alternative for disease management in poultry operations, but this is raising concerns about antimicrobial resistance.

The use of bio-based nanoparticles has been widely explored in vaccinology to increase the safety and efficacy of vaccines. More than 15 years of development and optimization of nanovaccines has resulted in a candidate that demonstrates an 80% efficacy rate in protecting chicks from avian colibacillosis. This project is supporting the optimized production and clinical effectiveness of this nanovaccine by producing the first industrial vaccine batch and testing the in-vivo safety, immunogenicity and effective protection in chicks. The research team is working closely with poultry producer cooperatives and aims to influence the uptake of the technology in the smaller producers in the southern part of Brazil.

The major outcome of the project is the generation of an innovative new formulated, low-cost nanovaccine (below one cent per dose) as well as the validation of consistency and potency of the nanovaccine at the semi-industrial scale to reduce both preventive and curative use of antimicrobials in low- and middle-income countries.

This project is funded under InnoVet-AMR 2.0, a four-year partnership between IDRC and the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care. The initiative is aimed at reducing the emerging risk that anti-microbial resistance (AMR) in animals poses to global health and food security.