Developing Plant-Derived Vaccines

An agreement to evaluate and develop plant-derived veterinary biologics is under way from Dow AgroSciences and the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research.

"We're excited about the potential that plant-derived vaccines have to improve both the economics and animal care aspects of veterinary biologics," says Pete Siggelko, vice president of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology at Dow.

Siggelko also points out that the new products can improve disease prevention while reducing manufacturing costs, delivery and the administration of vaccines.

Edible vaccine products could also reduce animal handling, stress and potential side effects inherent in injected vaccines.