Shares in Eco Animal Health Group Plc (AIM:EAH) rose 6% to 103.5p after the group secured European approval for its first proprietary vaccine, earlier than expected.
The AIM-listed company said the European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for ECOVAXXIN MS, a poultry vaccine targeting Mycoplasma synoviae, a common infection that can cut egg production in laying hens by 5% to 10%.
The decision follows a positive opinion from the EU’s veterinary medicines regulator in November and was issued more than a month ahead of schedule, a move investors appeared to welcome.
ECOVAXXIN MS is designed to immunise future layer and breeder chickens from four weeks of age, helping to reduce lesions and production losses linked to the disease.
Mycoplasma synoviae is a persistent problem in poultry farming and can have a material economic impact on large-scale egg producers.
Chief executive David Hallas said the approval marked “a key milestone” for the group, enabling the first commercial launch from its in-house research and development pipeline.
ECO said it will provide further details on its plans for the European rollout of the vaccine in early 2026.