Shares in Frontier IP Group PLC (LSE:FIPP, FRA:8WT) rose as much as 5% early on Monday after the company said a vaccine developed by one of its portfolio businesses had beaten a leading commercial rival in trials against a costly pig disease.
The intellectual property specialist said the vaccine candidate, developed by The Vaccine Group, showed superior performance in challenge trials targeting Streptococcus suis, a disease that causes serious illness in pigs and can also infect humans. The work was carried out by Moredun Scientific Limited, a well-regarded testing and research group.
Investors were encouraged not only by the headline result but by what it suggests about the wider potential of the underlying technology.
The Vaccine Group uses a delivery platform based on a bovine herpesvirus, effectively a carrier that trains an animal’s immune system to recognise and fight disease. Previous results in cattle, announced last November, showed promise against bovine respiratory syncytial virus, a lung infection.
The latest study indicates the same platform can work in pigs and against bacterial infections, not just viral ones. Crucially, it also demonstrated protection against multiple strains of Streptococcus suis, a long-standing challenge in vaccine development.
The disease is widespread globally, affecting a large proportion of European pig farms and posing risks to farmers and public health. Frontier IP said the results strengthen discussions already under way with major animal health groups, raising hopes the technology could move towards commercial use.
After the initial burst, the shares settled 1.5% higher at 13.7p.