$20 million research partnerships see Australia pioneer world-first FMD vaccine
A world-first biodegradable vaccine to protect livestock from foot and mouth disease (FMD) has been developed through a $20 million, five-year research partnership between Meat & Livestock Australia, Tiba Biotech, and the NSW Government.
While Australia remains FMD free, modelling from Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) has estimated an FMD incursion could cost the Australian economy up to $80 billion. An incursion would have a catastrophic impact on trade, animal welfare and farm productivity.
MLA Managing Director, Michael Crowley, said while it was hoped that an FMD vaccine would never be needed, the research represented a proactive approach to managing biosecurity risk.
“FMD is present in countries near to Australia and is front of mind for industry in terms of potential biosecurity risks,” Mr Crowley said. “Vaccination may not necessarily be required in the event of a disease incursion, but this research demonstrates that the Australian industry is proactive and prepared.”
Researchers found that the new vaccine demonstrated strong, effective immune response and safety in preliminary trials in Germany. Vaccinated cattle did not contract FMD when exposed to the disease and, importantly, they did not shed the virus.
The new biodegradable vaccine uses mRNA to induce an immune response, rather than an actual virus. mRNA vaccines have been proven safe for animals and for consumers.
Following these trials, the vaccine must now undergo a rigorous evaluation process with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) before approval for use on livestock.
“The delivery of an FMD vaccine is part of the Minns Government’s commitment to safeguarding livestock from key biosecurity threats and ensuring the state’s agriculture industry can thrive,” NSW Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty, said.
“Developing local capacity to produce vaccines against emergency animal diseases is a critical priority for the NSW Government, Australia’s livestock industries and our economy.”
Australian-based Tiba Co-Founder, Peter McGrath, said the company is focused on working regulators to ensure vaccine safety and effectiveness.
"Australia is now at the forefront of livestock vaccine development, bringing with it the potential to develop manufacturing capacity, jobs, and exports,” Mr McGrath said.
“Livestock mRNA vaccines offer a safe, efficient and effective approach to protecting animal health, benefiting both the agricultural industry and consumers.
“Unlike current mRNA technologies, our vaccines can be stored long term at standard refrigeration temperatures and even at room temperature for at least one month. This is a critical advantage in livestock applications.”
The research included an extensive evaluation of the safety of Tiba’s vaccines. These evaluations found Tiba’s vaccines safe at very high doses much larger than would ever be administered.
The project is also conducting similar research to develop a vaccine for lumpy skin disease, which is also a significant exotic disease threat to Australia.
mRNA vaccines allow the animal to create proteins and antibodies to trigger an immune response. They do this without entering the nucleus of cells and disappear from the animal within days, leaving antibodies behind for protection against the virus.
The project has also included input from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the German Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut and Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
FMD vaccine FAQs
There are currently no mRNA vaccines being used in Australian livestock, with research underway to develop vaccines against foot and mouth disease (FMD) and lumpy skin disease (LSD). These vaccines would only be considered for use in the event of an outbreak.
Australia remains free of FMD and lumpy skin disease (LSD), although both are present in nearby countries including Indonesia.
mRNA vaccines use genetic instructions to trigger the animal’s cells to produce a protein that triggers an immune response. Unlike traditional vaccines, they do not use live viruses, making them safer and faster to produce.
Australia is leading this effort to build sovereign vaccine manufacturing capacity and respond quickly to emerging threats. Australia is the first country to develop an mRNA vaccine against FMD.
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) regulates and approves veterinary vaccines, ensuring they meet strict safety, efficacy, and quality standards.
The mRNA vaccine is safe to manufacture in Australia as its production does not use a live virus. The technology allows easy identification of vaccinated animals as distinct from animals infected with FMD virus. This distinction will benefit trade and allow use of the vaccine to control spread should an outbreak occur.
- mRNA vaccines can be designed and produced swiftly to deliver faster responses to existing and new emergency animal diseases. Traditional processes to produce new vaccines are time-consuming.
- mRNA vaccines use RNA to produce specific proteins, eliminating the risk of introducing live pathogens into animals and enhancing vaccine safety. They do not alter the genetics of animals or change DNA.
- The use of vaccines to protect livestock from diseases contributes to efficient farming practices, reduces the need for antibiotics, gives significant animal welfare benefits and decreases the environmental footprint of animal production.
- Concerns about mRNA vaccines affecting consumers of animal products are unfounded. The mRNA used in these vaccines does not interfere with an animal's DNA and is broken down naturally shortly after it is administered.
- Australia’s regulatory authority, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), has very strict standards to demonstrate that the vaccine will be cleared from the animal very rapidly after vaccination and that there is no safety risk to people.
- All work with live exotic viruses to test the vaccine is conducted overseas.
- Animals vaccinated in Australia as part of the project are in a biosecurity quarantine facility, are not part of any commercial herd and will never enter the food chain.
- Regulatory requirements and emergency registration of the new FMD vaccine for livestock is being explored with progress towards registration in Australia.
- The NSW Government and its partners are now on track to test a novel vaccine for LSD, which does not use a living virus. These vaccines will only be used if there is an outbreak of LSD or FMD in Australia.
There is no risk to human health from consuming products from vaccinated animals. The mRNA from vaccines breaks down quickly and does not remain in meat or milk. There is no risk to human health from consuming products from vaccinated animals.
No. mRNA does not enter the cell nucleus or alter DNA. It is naturally broken down after triggering an immune response.
No. There is no evidence that mRNA vaccines affect the taste, texture, or quality of meat or dairy products.
Extensive safety evaluations have been conducted, including high-dose trials. Further studies are ongoing as part of the regulatory approval process.
No. There is no evidence by which mRNA vaccines could affect human health through consumption.
Animals used in trials are kept in quarantine and do not enter the food chain. The animals used in this trial are overseas and not in Australia.