Dairy productivity will be given a boost following a new collaboration between APC Microbiome Ireland and ImmuCell, who join forces to focus on animal health. The SFI Research Center, headquartered at University College Cork, will partner with ImmuCell Corporation, a growing animal health company that develops, manufactures and markets scientifically-proven and practical products that improve the health and productivity of the dairy and beef cattle.

Overuse of antibiotics in the food chain is a critical issue for human health due to the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria or “superbugs”, causing potentially untreatable life-threatening infections in people.  

To minimize the risks, regulators worldwide are restricting the use of antibiotics in animals used in food production. 

Alternatives to antibiotics 
Microbiome and animal health is a strategic area of research for APC Microbiome Ireland, the largest and oldest microbiome research institute globally.  

The APC has developed an extensive program on fermentation end-products, including antimicrobials, over the past 20 years. These include Thuricin CD, Formicin (featured on an Irish stamp), Lacticin and Nisin J, a new antimicrobial produced from staphylococcal bacteria found on human skin. In 2018, the APC was ranked first in the world by CWTS in Leiden as measured by publication citations in the area of antimicrobials.  

The collaborative research project, led by Dr. Des Field and Professor Paul Ross in the APC, will see ImmuCell Corporation benefit from APC’s capabilities and IP relevant to animal health, built-up (in collaboration with Teagasc) over many years.  

These include patented microbiome-derived solutions for bovine mastitis and know-how of bioengineering antimicrobial peptides for increased efficacy.   

Bovine mastitis is an infection that occurs in dairy cattle, wher inflammation of the mammary gland and udder can damage milk-secreting tissues. It is regarded as one of the most economically damaging diseases in the dairy industry globally, and its prevalence is rising across the world. 

“There is an urgent need for alternatives to antibiotics, particularly in the field of animal healthcare wher there is a major dependence,” says Professor Ross, APC Director. 

Looking after dairy cows
“APC Microbiome Ireland is delighted to be embarking on this exciting project with the knowledge-based company Immucell that will see the development of natural antimicrobials (bacteriocins) for the treatment and prevention of mastitis – the most persistent disease of dairy cows.” 

“Utilizing our proprietary Nisin production strain, APC plans to apply its technology to enhance our nisin production and activity in targeted ways, as a second-generation mastitis product,” adds Michael F. Brigham, President and CEO. “We are thankful to enter into this forward-looking collaboration with APC, as we work to complete the FDA regulatory development process for Re-Tain and approach market launch.” 

It is estimated that there are economic losses of US$2 billion annually in the US alone due to mastitis.