The Pirbright Institute and researchers at The Vaccine Group (TVG) in Plymouth are aiming to revolutionise African swine fever (ASF) vaccine development in a new collaborative project.
Pirbright researchers are collaborating with TVG to accelerate the development of safe and effective vaccines against the deadly virus.
The project adopts a novel approach, utilising bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4) as a platform for developing ASF vaccines, leveraging recent advancements in ASF vaccinology and porcine immunology. By harnessing TVG’s expertise in herpesvirus-based vaccine platforms, the team hopes to revolutionise the process of developing ASF vaccines.
The research, helped by funding from the Defra and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and led by Dr Chris Netherton, head of Pirbright’s ASF Vaccinology research group, in collaboration with Dr Jeremy Salt (CEO) and Dr Michael Jarvis (CSO) at TVG, is expected to take 18 months and will identify a novel vaccine candidate.
Dr Netherton said: “The data generated by this project on the immune response to ASFV infection will interest researchers studying other swine pathogens like porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus, swine influenza virus, and classical swine fever virus.
“Through our collaboration with TVG, The Pirbright Institute is not only helping to fight ASF, but also revolutionising vaccine development. By harnessing bovine herpesvirus 4, we aim to create safer, more effective vaccines for global pig protection.”
Dr Salt said: “We’re excited TVG is joining forces with The Pirbright Institute to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in swine health. Our expertise in vaccine technology, combined with Pirbright’s groundbreaking research in African swine fever, presents a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the fight against this devastating disease. Together, we’re committed to developing innovative solutions that will benefit both animals and communities globally.”
Traditional vaccine methods have proven ineffective in the battle against ASF, prompting the need for innovative solutions. The virus is prevalent on every continent except South America and Antarctica, poses a significant threat to domestic swine and wild boar populations, and is still spreading rapidly in Europe, causing substantial economic losses, and threatening farmer livelihoods.