BunyaVax

BunyaVax exploits proprietary vaccine platform technology to develop safe and efficacious vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer. The unique ‘Plug and Play’ platforms are used to generate potent vaccines that can encode almost any antigen of interest. Applications are in the veterinary and human setting.

BunyaVax is a spin-off company from Wageningen University &amp; Research (WUR) in the Netherlands. It manages the LARISSA consortium, which is developing a novel live-attenuated Rift Valley fever vaccine called hRVFV-4s. The vaccine virus was initially constructed by genetic engineering in 2014 and found to be highly safe and efficacious in ruminants.

LARISSA consortium reaches milestone: Novel Rift Valley fever vaccine dosed in Phase I human trial

CEPI to invest up to $25.9 million, with support from the EU, in trials in East Africa to assess a vaccine candidate against Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in people most at risk of infection

The Netherlands bolsters world's pandemic preparedness with increased CEPI funding

CEPI expands partnership with Wageningen Bioveterinary Research to advance clinical trials of Rift Valley fever vaccine in affected countries

CEPI expands partnership with WBVR to advance Rift Valley Fever vaccine

Promoting the health, well-being, and ethical treatment of animals

Animal Therapeutics

BunyaVax is a spin-off company from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands. It manages the LARISSA consortium, which is developing a novel live-attenuated Rift Valley fever vaccine called hRVFV-4s. The vaccine virus was initially constructed by genetic engineering in 2014 and found to be highly safe and efficacious in ruminants.
BunyaVax's hRVFV-4s vaccine candidate reached a significant milestone in August 2022 when the first healthy volunteer was dosed in a Phase I clinical trial in Belgium. This dose escalation study aims to assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate in healthy adult volunteers. Following a single dose administration, hRVFV-4s is expected to generate a long-lasting immune response against Rift Valley fever, a severe and potentially deadly disease predominantly transmitted by mosquitoes.
In October 2023, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) announced an expanded partnership with Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR), BunyaVax's parent organization, to advance hRVFV-4s through a multi-site Phase I/IIa clinical trial. These trials are scheduled to begin in 2025 in Kenya and Uganda, where Rift Valley fever poses a significant threat to rural communities. CEPI's investment of up to USD 25.9 million, supported by the European Union's Horizon Europe programme, will fund these trials, an extension of the ongoing Phase I study, manufacturing of clinical trial materials, epidemiological research, and regulatory efforts toward licensure.

KeraVet Bio is a veterinary wound care company that develops keratin-based prescription products for dogs and cats. The company's flagship product, KeraVet Gel, is a wound management solution formulated to address mild and severe wounds, post-surgical incisions, and various dermatological conditions in pets. KeraVet Gel is made from a proprietary blend of keratin and utilizes patent-protected keratin technology. The product serves as a protective covering over wounds and is designed to improve healing time while reducing the need for cones or other lick deterrents. Clinical studies have shown that wounds treated with KeraVet Gel experienced significantly less swelling compared to those treated with triple antibiotic ointment in dogs and cats. The gel also demonstrated a reduction in licking behavior, with dogs licking 85% less and cats licking 87% less compared to a well-known wound management product. KeraVet Gel is available by prescription from veterinary practitioners and is distributed through major veterinary product distributors. The company is headquartered in the Innovation Quarter in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

KeraVet Bio

Eir Pharmaceuticals was a development-stage biotechnology company that operated in multiple markets, including animal health, human consumer, and human health. The company's proprietary biotechnology platform was designed to develop and commercialize health, wellness, and pharmaceutical products across these diverse sectors. Eir Pharmaceuticals aimed to leverage its technology to capture value from various applications and target different customer segments within the broader healthcare industry.

EIR Pharmaceuticals

ProteaPex Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies and dietary supplements for osteoarthritis. Their key product offering is ECPF-1, a novel therapeutic compound that has demonstrated chondroprotective properties in a rat model of osteoarthritis. In October 2023, the company presented findings from a study where ECPF-1 was administered through weekly injections to rats with osteoarthritis. The results showed that the knee cartilage of treated animals had less degradation and more healthy cartilage compared to untreated controls, even four weeks after the last injection. This suggests that ECPF-1 has the potential to slow the progression of osteoarthritis by protecting cartilage from further damage.
ProteaPex Therapeutics' platform technology revolves around Extracellular Matrix Protection Factors (ECPFs), a class of compounds derived from their research on cartilage biology and chondrocyte differentiation. In addition to ECPF-1, the company is also developing dietary supplement products based on this platform.

ProteaPex Therapeutics

MedcoVet offers a patented at-home laser therapy treatment device for pets suffering from arthritis, pain, and other inflammatory conditions. The company's technology allows veterinarians to prescribe clinical laser therapy for their patients to be administered in the comfort of their homes. MedcoVet's devices utilize photobiomodulation, a scientifically proven technique that relieves pain and expedites healing in animals.
The company partners with veterinarians, shipping the treatment devices directly to pet owners while providing telemedicine support to ensure proper usage. This approach enables veterinarians to offer laser therapy as a primary treatment modality without the inconvenience and expenses associated with in-clinic sessions. As of 2023, MedcoVet had 77 prescribers across 13 states in the US, experiencing a 50% quarter-on-quarter growth in prescribers during the previous quarter.
Several veterinary professionals and pet owners have reported significant improvements in their patients' mobility, reduced swelling and discomfort, and the ability to lower medication doses after using MedcoVet's at-home laser therapy devices. The company's technology has been praised for revolutionizing the application of laser therapy in veterinary medicine, making it more accessible and convenient for pet owners.

MedcoVet

Hilltop BioSciences, co-founded by Amanda Drobnis, is a veterinary biotech company pioneering the development of innovative regenerative therapies. Their flagship product, Regenaflex, is a room temperature, easy-to-use regenerative allograft available in injectable or membrane form. It stimulates cell-to-cell communication essential for healing soft tissue by delivering a potent combination of cytokines, microRNA, growth factors, and exosomes to the affected area. Regenaflex accelerates tissue healing, reduces inflammation, and minimizes scar tissue formation, making it a more effective and faster therapy compared to traditional treatments.
Initially focused on equine applications, with over 7 million horses in the US, Hilltop BioSciences has expanded into the companion animal market. Their product line includes Regenaflex-K9 for treating acute trauma, chronic infections, inflammation, non-healing wounds, anal gland abscesses, and fistulae in dogs. Regenaflex-M Biofilm is an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-adhesion scaffold that accelerates healing and prevents postoperative complications like adhesions and suture leakage after abdominal or orthopedic surgeries. PureOptic, their eye drop formulation, normalizes damaged ocular tissue resulting from injuries or diseases.
A key differentiator of Hilltop Bio's products is their long-term room-temperature storage, consistent composition in every dose, and the ability to be reconstituted and ready to use within a minute without any special equipment or time-consuming processing. As of January 2023, the company had raised funding led by Launchpad Venture Group and other Boston-based investment groups to expand its product pipeline leveraging its intellectual property portfolio.

Hilltop BioSciences

Companies that offer specialized therapeutics for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cancer in animals. This includes areas such as cancer diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

Companies that develop vaccines and drugs for pets and livestock based on advanced research and biotechnologies such as DNA technology, with a specific focus on the treatment and prevention of diseases and medical conditions in animals.

Companies that use regenerative techniques and technologies to promote tissue repair, regeneration, and healing in animals. This involves stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, tissue engineering, gene therapy, and wound healing treatments.

Companies that provide veterinary diagnostic services, which include a wide range of tests, procedures, and laboratory services to diagnose, monitor, and manage the health and well-being of animals. This includes laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging, endoscopy, and genetic testing.

Companies that provide specialized treatments aimed at extending the lifespan and improving the overall health and quality of life of animals, including companion animals and livestock. These approaches are designed to address the challenges of aging, prevent age-related diseases, and enhance the well-being of aging animals.

Offers advanced diagnostics and insights for animal health using AI/ML

Offers products and services specifically designed for diagnostics and treatments based on advanced genomic sciences

Offers personalized preventive care and specialty care for animals

BunyaVax

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