Mission
Our mission is to develop and commercialize the world’s first oral vaccine for avian influenza, combining breakthrough science with practical delivery methods to address a $10 billion+ market.
By simplifying disease prevention for poultry producers, reducing economic losses, and mitigating zoonotic risks, we aim to deliver unparalleled value to stakeholders and ensure a sustainable, healthier future. Together with our partners and investors, we are redefining how the world can be protected against the threats of infectious diseases.
Vision
To lead the fight against avian influenza through scalable, game-changing vaccine solutions, securing global health and transforming food supply chains.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
(HPAI or Bird Flu)
The world is facing the threat of a rapidly spreading and potentially lethal disease.
The global economic burden of bird flu was calculated up to $10 billion in 2023 alone. While traditional vaccines are not readily available (yet), they show clinical inefficiencies and are difficult to produce, transport and administer. With the zoonotic threats to human health, there is a huge demand for a potent, cost- effective and easy to produce, distribute and administer vaccine.
The LivingMed Biotech Solution
LivingMed Biotech (LMB) is developing an oral vaccine that can be mixed in the food or water of the animals. It uses a biological carrier to direct the selected antigens exactly there where 80% of the immune system is most active; the mucosal tissue of the gut. This leads to a unique form of immunization while at the same time it benefits from all obvious advantages of using oral vaccines.
Next to humoral and cellular immunity, oral vaccines deliver the very important mucosal immunity, offering better protection against the virus entering cells
The administration is needle-free. No manual handling is needed nor is there a need for injections in the eggs in breeding machines
No needles means no risk of needlestick injuries
No needles also means no waste. No waste from syringes, containers or waste of unused vaccines.This means huge cost savings and has great impact on lowering the ecological footprint.
The LMB oral vaccine can be produced, distributed and stored at room temperature. This improves accessibility and availability and positively influences economical and ecological impact
How it works
LMB uses the natural caracteristics of commensal (safe) protein secreting commensal (safe) spore-forming bacteria. By genetical engineering, we turn these bacterial spores into the ideal delivery platform for programmed antigens, thereby creating a safe, effective and very practical vaccine.
Step 1. Engineer the bacterial molecular chassis by genetically incorporating in the antigens of choice. Grow the bacteria and harvest the spores.
Step 2. The collected -acid and heat resistent- spores can be added to the food of the animals that need to be vaccinated
Step 3. The animal digests the spores. Once the spores arrive in the hypoxic environment of the gut, they will germinate to form vegetative cells that will start producing the programmed antigens (plus possibly built-in adjuvants)
Step 4. The antigens are presented to the immune system and will deliver i. humoral immunity (antibodies) ii. cellular immunity (memory cells) and iii. mucosal immunity preventing the virus to enter through mucosal tissue
Scientific Partners
LivingMed Biotech welcomes new initiatives and invites interested parties to contact us for potential new partnerships in co-development, licensing or grant applications. So far we are pleased to (have) work(ed) with the following partners.
First Animal Experiments conducted at University of Liège, Veterinary Medicine
Our Research and Development location is based at CER Groupe Aye, Belgium
Where it all started:
University of Maastricht, department of Precision Medicine
Our Team
Get in touch! We are looking forward to meeting anybody interested in discussing potential collaborations or partnerships.
Whether you are a veterinary professional, farmer or feed company interested in our vaccine technology or whether you are a pharmaceutical professional interested in co-developing or licensing a new product, please reach out to us. Researchers looking for new opportunities, universities looking for private partners in research projects; we are happy to discuss!
Investors interested to join us in developing and commercializing the World’s first oral vaccine against Avian Influenza, we would be happy to bring you on board! Join us in preventing Bird Flu disease in farms, avoiding devastating economical losses, mitigating the risks of this disease mutating to humans and preparing for a pandemic. And at the same time receive unparalleled Stakeholder Value.
Together we can ensure a Sustainable and Healthier Future.
Perjan Pleunis
CEO
Niall Bollard, PhD
Senior scientist
Pipeline
(co-) Funded by
Initial research has been funded by two grants provided by the Walloon Region, matched by the founders and angel investors. For future research and company growth, we may now rely on the support of InvestSud who invested after solid due diligence.
Scientific Advisory Board
For scientific advice on vaccine & market development, bacterial engineering & clinical research and on regulatory guidance & quality control we may count on the expertise of very seasoned specialists in each field.
Dr. Ernst Soethout
As a vet and vaccinologist, Ernst is an expert in (animal) vaccine development and as such even advises WHO and other organizations. Ernst is our vaccine content and market development advisor through his company Virtuvax B.V.
Prof. Philippe Lambin
Philippe acts as Chief Scientific Advisor next to his position as Professor at the University of Maastricht. As MD (oncologist) with a PhD in molecular biology, he is a world renowned top-class scientist and the scientific father of LMB.
Dr. René Mignolet, MBA
René brings a true wealth of experience in the manufacturing, regulatory guidance and marketing of bio medicinal products acquired with GSK, Wyeth, Nabi Biopharmaceuticals and through his consultancy activities provided to over 220 EU and US small and medium size companies developing innovative medicinal products.
Contact us
LivingMed Biotech srl.
Clos Chanmurly 13
4000 Liége
Belgium
VAT number BE0748443684