REG - Eco Animal Health Gp - Partnership with Moredun Research Institute

ECO Animal HealthAnnouncement

06/07/2022 07:00

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RNS Number : 4299R  Eco Animal Health Group PLC  06 July 2022

 

6 July 2022

ECO Animal Health Group plc

(''ECO", the "Company" or the "ECO Group") (AIM: EAH)

Partnership with Moredun Research Institute - Poultry Red Mite Vaccine

 

ECO Animal Health Group plc, a leader in the development, registration and
marketing of pharmaceutical products for global animal health markets, is
pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, ECO Animal Health Ltd,
has entered into a research partnership with Moredun Research Institute (MRI),
UK. This research involves an exciting project to develop an effective
first-in-class vaccine solution for the sustainable control of poultry red
mite (PRM). MRI has the necessary tools, expertise, and experience in working
with PRM and in parasite vaccine development. The vaccine will target
functions that are important to PRM development, viability and fertility.
These targets will be identified by analysing data across the developmental
stages of PRM using a reverse vaccinology approach and then evaluated in a
robust PRM challenge model developed and validated at MRI.  ECO Animal Health
Ltd is excited about the potential of this innovation to help address a
significant unmet need and improve animal welfare in the poultry industry.

Poultry Red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) infestation is one of the emerging and
important causes of production losses in laying hens and has a major impact on
animal welfare. Poultry red mites also serve as vectors for several
disease-causing bacteria and viruses in poultry. Their ubiquitous presence
threatens the poultry industry globally, as there are no effective
non-chemical solutions available for the prevention of PRM infestation in
poultry.  Pesticides are currently being used by poultry producers to treat
and therefore limit the losses due to heavy PRM infestation. However, this
comes with associated risks including chemical residues in eggs and meat and
resistance development. Heavy PRM infestation is reported in the EU and UK and
this is expected to increase as a result of animal husbandry legislation
changes, increased treatment resistance, climate warming, all of which is
hampered by the current lack of a sustainable approach to PRM control.

Under the terms of the partnership, MRI will execute the sponsored research
project over a period of 36 months. If the programme is successful, ECO may
take the option of developing, registering and commercialising the vaccine
under a worldwide exclusive license from MRI.

David Hallas, Chief Executive of ECO said: "Once again our R&D team has
successfully concluded an agreement to partner with a leading research
institute, in this case MRI, to develop a vaccine solution to PRM. If
successful, the vaccine has very significant potential globally and would have
substantial animal health benefits."

Dr Stewart Burgess, Principal Investigator at MRI commented "We are delighted
to have entered this research partnership with ECO which will enable us to
apply our knowledge of PRM and expertise in developing parasite vaccines to
support the global poultry industry."

 

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Group to
constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations
(EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR") as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by
virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of
this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service ("RIS"), this inside
information is now considered to be in the public domain.

For further information please contact:

 ECO Animal Health Group plc                                     020 8447 8899

 David Hallas (CEO)

 Christopher Wilks (CFO)

 IFC Advisory                                                    020 3934 6630

 Graham Herring

 Zach Cohen

 Singer Capital Markets (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker)       020 7496 3000

 Mark Taylor

 George Tzimas

 Investec (Joint Broker)                                         020 7597 5970

 Gary Clarence

 Alex Penney

 Carlo Spingardi

 Peel Hunt LLP (Joint Broker)                                    020 7418 8900

 Dr Christopher Golden

 James Steel

 

 Equity Developments  020 7065 2692

 Hannah Crowe

 Matt Evans

 

 About ECO Animal Health

ECO Animal Health Group plc researches, develops and commercialises products
for livestock. Our business strategy is to generate shareholder value by
achieving the maximum sales potential from the existing product portfolio
whilst investing in Research and Development ("R&D") for new products,
particularly vaccines, and seeking to in-license new products.

 

 

About Moredun Research Institute

Moredun Research Institute conducts internationally recognised research on the
infectious diseases of livestock, caused by important viruses, bacteria and
parasites. It employs 170 scientists, vets and support staff who continue to
help find solutions for major challenges to modern farming such as the
consequences of a changing climate; ensuring safe and sustainable food and
water supplies conserving biodiversity and finding solutions to infectious
disease. Today, many of the veterinary medicines and vaccines that are
routinely used on farm have either been researched, developed or tested at
Moredun. More information: https://www.moredun.ac.uk/
(https://www.moredun.ac.uk/)

 

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