The Centre for Veterinary Vaccine Innovation and Manufacturing (CVIM), based at The Pirbright Institute, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CPI to collaborate on the development of veterinary vaccines, with an initial focus on RNA vaccine platforms.
CPI is a UK-based technology innovation centre with extensive experience in advanced vaccine technologies. Their RNA Centre of Excellence provides world-class expertise in RNA-based vaccine development, scale-up, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production, alongside specialist training and formulation capabilities.
RNA vaccines offer several advantages for livestock disease prevention and control, including rapid development timelines, the ability to generate broad immune responses, and a more targeted approach to specific viral proteins.
With the news that funding for RNA vaccines is being scaled back in the United States, this UK-based partnership signals continued investment in RNA innovation for both animal and human health.
CVIM brings expertise in livestock disease, molecular biology, and the development and evaluation of veterinary vaccines, including in vivo studies. The collaboration will see the sharing of knowledge and expertise and support the evaluation of RNA vaccine candidates for use in livestock.
The work supports a One Health approach, recognising the close links between animal and human health. The knowledge generated through this collaboration will not only advance veterinary vaccines but may also inform future human vaccine development.
Professor Bryan Charleston MRCVS FRS, Director of The Pirbright Institute, said: “This is an exciting new partnership for Pirbright and CVIM. CPI’s expertise in RNA technology complements our deep understanding of livestock diseases. Together, we hope to accelerate the development of effective, scalable RNA vaccines for animal health.”
Brendan Fish, Director of Biologics and the RNA Centre at CPI said: “We’re proud to be partnering with CVIM and The Pirbright Institute to accelerate the development of RNA vaccines for livestock. This collaboration brings together complementary expertise from CPI’s capabilities in RNA technology and GMP manufacturing, and Pirbright’s world-class knowledge of animal health.
By bringing together the strengths of both organisations we are creating a collaborative force that is far greater than the sum of its parts – unlocking new and innovative vaccines for animal health and accelerating innovation in ways that neither could achieve alone.”
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith, UKRI BBSRC Executive Chair, said: “This collaboration between CVIM at The Pirbright Institute and CPI within the High Value Manufacturing Catapult demonstrates how effective public investment can accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research into real-world solutions.
Professor Sir John Edmunds, Chief Scientific Advisor and Director, FCDO said: "The work of CVIM, developing novel vaccines to tackle some of the most important and damaging livestock diseases, is important for farmers in developing countries, as well as for the UK agriculture sector, which is increasingly threatened by the spread of new and emerging diseases.
FCDO is proud to support CVIM which has world class expertise in vaccine development. This new collaboration between CVIM at Pirbright and CPI in Darlington, will strengthen the UK’s capability to respond to global disease threats and accelerate the delivery of new vaccines into use."
RNA vaccine platforms offer enormous potential for tackling livestock diseases quickly and effectively and this partnership is a critical step towards ensuring that innovations in bioscience can reach the people and animals who need them.
Through our sustained investment in Pirbright and support for CVIM, BBSRC is proud to help strengthen the pipeline from discovery to deployment - advancing animal health, supporting rural economies and contributing to a One Health approach that benefits us all.”
As part of the collaboration, a CPI scientist is expected to visit Pirbright in September 2025 to support ongoing RNA vaccine development efforts and explore ways to enhance candidate evaluation.
CVIM is a GMP facility currently under construction at Pirbright which will be operational in early 2026. The Centre will support the development and deployment of vaccine technologies to combat neglected and emerging diseases of livestock, including zoonotic diseases that represent a threat to public health.
CVIM is supported by funding from the Gates Foundation, the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office and the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
Image credit: CPI
