Ridgeway Biologicals has been a trusted name in the UK and Ireland animal health sector for more than 20 years, providing emergency vaccines tailored to the specific needs of farms and their animals.
Over the years, the Berkshire-based company has grown into a leading specialist in autogenous vaccines, which are produced from the very pathogens causing disease on a particular farm.
In 2019, it became part of the Ceva family, bringing its expertise and innovation-driven UK facility into a global network, committed to keeping animals healthy and reducing disease outbreaks.
Ceva Ridgeway’s products are bespoke, with each vaccine designed for a specific herd, flock or fish population, helping vets tackle new and emerging diseases or pathogen strains that are not covered by available registered vaccines.
“This tailored approach results in healthier animals, reduced disease and fewer antibiotics needed on farms,” explained Robin Wardle, Ceva Ridgeway’s managing director.
“Before a vaccine is even produced, Ceva Ridgeway’s diagnostic team get to work. Farm samples are carefully analysed in the lab to identify the pathogens causing disease outbreaks.”
Diagnostic testing for pigs is a core component of supporting herd health and effective disease management. The laboratory employs advanced PCR-based diagnostics and serotyping for a range of significant swine pathogens, including Streptococcus suis, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Glaesserella parasuis and Mycoplasma species.
These reliable diagnostics guide vaccine development and help vets protect pig health at herd level. “It’s a full-circle process: from sample collection to lab testing, production, quality checks and final delivery, every step is designed to keep animals safe and healthy,” Mr Wardle said.
Site upgrade
Ceva Ridgeway’s Compton site has grown and developed over the years. Over the past 12 months, significant investment of about £500,000 has further enhanced the facility’s capabilities, ensuring it is equipped to meet the needs of today and into the future.
The substantial investment is designed to keep the Ceva Ridgway site aligned and compliant with the new and evolving autogenous GMP standards, ensuring the site can produce for both the UK, Ireland and EU customers, when needed.
The upgraded site includes:
- Expansion of laboratory space through relocation of the office to a new complex, The Barn.
- Modern fermentation suites and starter culture generators, enabling reliable vaccine production and simultaneous fermentation of six different strains.
- Flexible bacterial growth options, allowing production using fermenter, broth or plate methods.
- QC testing laboratories to ensure every vaccine meets the highest safety and quality standards.
- Upgraded changing rooms and gowning lobbies, ensuring that contamination control is maintained for the product.
- Enhanced blending and bottling clean rooms, optimised for precise antigen concentration and vaccine formulation.
“Ceva Ridgeway isn’t just about producing vaccines. It’s a full support system for vets and farmers, providing diagnostics, expert guidance and tailored solutions,” Mr Wardle said.
“Its work helps the UK and Ireland animal health industry stay strong and reliable – especially important in a post-Brexit world where consistent, local support is key.”
ADAPT for the future
Ceva Ridgeway continues to evolve, and is embracing the future by investing in technology, streamlining processes and finding innovative ways to support vets, farmers and the broader animal health community.
“This is why Ceva have created ADAPT – a new concept that represents more than just a service, embodying a capability designed to tackle the specific challenges faced by our customers,” Mr Wardle said.
“It also brings all autogenous sites together under the Ceva umbrella, ensuring that every autogenous vaccine site delivers consistent expertise, reliability and a customer-focused approach under the unified Ceva ADAPT platform.
“Ceva Ridgeway’s commitment to animal health is built on decades of expertise, continuous innovation, and a clear focus on the needs of each individual farm.
“By combining cutting-edge diagnostics, bespoke vaccine development, and ongoing investment in its facilities, the team delivers reliable, science-driven solutions that make a measurable difference to herd, flock and fish health.
“As part of the global Ceva ADAPT platform, Ceva Ridgeway is strengthening its ability to support vets and farmers within the UK and Ireland, as well as other international markets where high-quality solutions are required.”