U of T Develops Livestock Vaccine for Deadly Bacterial Disease in Africa and South Asia

A new livestock vaccine designed to protect cattle from hemorrhagic septicemia is advancing toward deployment in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The effort involves a collaboration between GALVmed, the University of Toronto, Biovet Private Limited, and Engineered Antigens Inc., a spinoff company created by the University of Toronto and the University of Calgary.

Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) is a deadly disease caused by the bacterial pathogen Pasteurella multocida. The disease is characterized by rapid onset and high mortality rates during seasonal outbreaks, which create devastating economic and cultural impacts for livestock-keeping communities in the affected regions.

Vaccine Development and Mechanism

The candidate vaccine focuses on a novel target identified on the surface of Pasteurella multocida strains associated with hemorrhagic septicemia. According to verified reports, the vaccine has demonstrated robust protection in cattle against lethal challenges from the two serogroups of Pasteurella responsible for the disease.

This development addresses limitations found in current vaccine options. Existing vaccines against bovine-associated P. Multocida diseases are primarily limited to live attenuated strains or aluminium-adjuvanted whole killed bacteria, which are known as bacterins.

Pasteurella multocida is a versatile bacterial pathogen capable of infecting a wide range of domestic and wild animals. In cattle, infections are primarily associated with hemorrhagic septicemia and bovine respiratory disease.

Partnerships and Implementation

Under an agreement announced on April 8, 2026, Biovet Private Limited will lead the process of securing market authorization for the vaccine. Biovet operates a BSL-3+Ag biocontainment facility in Malur, Karnataka, India, which supports animal health vaccine production and large-animal testing.

Biovet is tasked with conducting safety and efficacy testing, including trials in the field. Simultaneously, GALVmed will support the continued development and commercialization of the vaccine in collaboration with the University of Toronto and Biovet.

The initial product development was led by Dr. Anthony Schryvers, MD, Ph.D., of the University of Calgary. This early research phase was supported by funds from the Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund (LVIF) of the Canadian International Development Research Centre.

The Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund

The Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund is a seven-year, CA$57 million partnership designed to improve livestock health and protect the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The fund specifically addresses neglected livestock diseases in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa by supporting the development, production, and commercialization of innovative vaccines.

To accelerate the discovery of new vaccines and improve existing solutions, the LVIF brings together vaccine researchers, distributors, and manufacturers. The fund utilizes a strategic model that intervenes at key entry points across the vaccine production, development, and access continuum.

The LVIF carries out its research activities across three broad streams:

• Cutting-edge vaccine development to accelerate new solutions against neglected diseases.
• Vaccine improvement and manufacturing to increase the use and efficacy of existing vaccines.
• Vaccine demand, access, and use, which is further divided into focal areas of partnerships, scaling up, and women’s empowerment.

By fostering partnerships between private sector actors and vaccine researchers, the fund aims to develop, register, and deploy livestock vaccines more efficiently to protect vulnerable agricultural communities.