The government recently established an RNA Platform to identify and support opportunities for New Zealand in areas such as human health and the health of other animals. It builds on global progress in use of these technologies, most notably the development of mRNA vaccines that saved numerous lives through the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of a series of Fast Start projects funded through the RNA platform, investment has been approved for AgResearch scientists to provide a a proof-of-concept for the application of RNA vaccines in livestock, specifically to address Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD). BVD is a highly contagious disease causing significant economic losses in the livestock industry, with estimates putting the annual losses for dairy farmers at around $127 million.
The funding announcement stated that "existing BVD vaccines exhibit unreliability, especially against the prevalent BVDV strain in New Zealand".
AgResearch chief scientist and animal health researcher Axel Heiser says the investment is an exciting opportunity to build on the research done to date.
"For a food-producing nation like New Zealand, there is potential for huge gains in the health, welfare and productivity of our tens of millions of farmed animals.”
