Elanco and Medgene Join Forces to Combat Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Dairy Cattle

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) has entered into an agreement with South Dakota-based Medgene to commercialize a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccine for use in dairy cattle. This strategic partnership aims to address the ongoing HPAI outbreak, which has affected nearly 1,000 dairy herds across the U.S. since March 2024, and has raised concerns about cross-species transmission and public health.

The HPAI vaccine developed by Medgene has met all requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) platform technology guidelines and is in the final stages of review for conditional license approval. The USDA previously approved Medgene's vaccine platform technology in cattle, allowing the company to accelerate H5N1 vaccine development. Medgene has existing vaccine manufacturing supply ready to deploy, with the ability to support the U.S. dairy herd.

Elanco's CEO, Jeff Simmons, emphasized the importance of new solutions to curb disease spread, stating, "Elanco is pleased to partner with Medgene to bring customers options to fight this devastating disease and believes this product will become part of a routine vaccination protocol for the U.S. dairy industry." This partnership aligns with Elanco's One Health platform, which aims to benefit both dairy and poultry producers while supporting market stability.

Medgene's CEO, Mark Luecke, highlighted the company's expertise in vaccine development and its commitment to providing innovative solutions for livestock producers. He stated, "Medgene has an established reputation of supporting animal owners and their veterinarians with our USDA-licensed platform technology and bioinformatics software to design transformational vaccines. With our critically important H5N1 vaccine for dairy cattle in the final stages of approval, we're excited to partner with Elanco to quickly bring this much needed solution to U.S. dairies."

The partnership between Elanco and Medgene is expected to have a significant impact on the global market for animal health products, particularly in the dairy cattle sector. By providing dairy producers with an additional tool to protect their herds, the new vaccine can help maintain or even increase milk production in infected dairies, leading to higher revenues for dairy farmers. Additionally, the vaccine can help reduce the need for costly treatments and veterinary care, saving dairy farmers money in the long run. For consumers, the vaccine can contribute to stable egg prices and enhance food safety by reducing the risk of zoonotic transmission of HPAI to humans.



The development of this vaccine also aligns with Elanco's long-term strategy and commitment to sustainable animal health solutions. The One Health platform emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, while the diverse dairy portfolio demonstrates Elanco's commitment to supporting the dairy industry. By offering new solutions to combat HPAI, Elanco is helping dairy producers protect their herds and maintain productivity, which contributes to the sustainability of the dairy sector.

In conclusion, the partnership between Elanco and Medgene to commercialize a highly pathogenic avian influenza vaccine for dairy cattle is a strategic move that addresses the ongoing HPAI outbreak and its economic implications. By providing dairy producers with an additional tool to protect their herds, the new vaccine can help maintain or even increase milk production, reduce veterinary costs, and enhance food safety. This partnership aligns with Elanco's long-term strategy and commitment to sustainable animal health solutions, supporting the dairy industry and the broader agricultural market.