Elanco Teams Up with Medgene to Fight Avian Flu in Dairy Cattle — Here's What It Means for U.S. Farmers!
Elanco Animal Health is making a major move in the battle against avian influenza, announcing a partnership with South Dakota-based Medgene to commercialize a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccine designed for dairy cattle. This groundbreaking agreement marks a critical step in combating the spread of this devastating disease, which has affected nearly 1,000 dairy herds across the U.S. since March 2024.
As the current avian influenza outbreak continues into its fourth year, the poultry industry has made significant strides in developing interventions. However, dairy producers have faced unique challenges in protecting their herds, lacking the same biosecurity measures and tools to combat the virus. The disease has not only impacted cattle but has also spread to humans, underscoring the urgent need for effective interventions.
Elanco's partnership with Medgene leverages the company's cutting-edge vaccine platform technology, with the HPAI vaccine now in the final stages of USDA review for conditional license approval. This collaboration promises to deliver a critical tool for dairy producers, offering a new layer of protection against the virus and slowing its spread between birds and cattle.
Jeff Simmons, President and CEO of Elanco Animal Health, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “As egg prices soar and milk production declines in infected dairies, the need for new solutions to curb disease spread is evident. This partnership strengthens our dairy portfolio and furthers our One Health platform, benefiting both the dairy and poultry industries while helping stabilize egg prices for consumers.”
Mark Luecke, CEO of Medgene, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting, “With our USDA-licensed platform technology and existing vaccine manufacturing capabilities, we’re thrilled to partner with Elanco to bring this much-needed solution to U.S. dairies.”
The vaccine, once approved, will become a crucial part of routine vaccination protocols for the U.S. dairy industry, providing much-needed protection for cattle and helping to control the spread of avian influenza across species. With both companies poised to act quickly, this partnership is a game-changer for the agricultural industry.
