Elanco Animal Health, a leading global animal health company, has partnered with South Dakota-based Medgene to introduce a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccine for dairy cattle in the U.S. The vaccine aims to curb the virus’s spread across nearly 1,000 dairy herds.
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated, a global leader in animal health solutions, has partnered with South Dakota-based Medgene to commercialize a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccine for dairy cattle. This collaboration comes in response to the ongoing HPAI outbreak that has impacted nearly 1,000 dairy herds across the U.S. since March 2024.
Elanco, known for its innovative veterinary solutions, and Medgene, a USDA-approved vaccine developer, aim to mitigate the cross-species transmission of avian influenza, which has severely affected milk production and poultry supply chains. The vaccine has met the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s platform technology requirements and is in the final stages of conditional licensing.
Jeff Simmons, President and CEO of Elanco Animal Health, emphasized the urgency of addressing the outbreak, stating,
This partnership with Medgene provides dairy farmers with a critical tool to control the disease, ensuring a stable food supply and healthier livestock.”
Medgene’s CEO, Mark Luecke, highlighted the vaccine’s role in protecting dairy herds, adding that their technology platform is already approved by the USDA and ready for large-scale distribution.
The introduction of this vaccine marks a significant step in containing HPAI outbreaks, which have previously led to disruptions in poultry and dairy markets, driving up egg prices and impacting milk production. If approved, the vaccine will be the first of its kind specifically targeting dairy cattle in the U.S., offering farmers a solution to safeguard their livestock from the ongoing epidemic.
