A vaccine to prevent post-weaning diarrhea in pigs got a recent $300,000 boost.
Prevtec Microbia West Canada Inc. received the money from Ag-West Bio.
It will use the money to develop and commercialize an oral swine vaccine that can be administered through drinking water.
The Prevtec Microbia website indicates a product called Coliprotec is already commercialized and available for use to prevent post-weaning diarrhea.
Prevtec president Michel Fortin did not return calls and it is unclear whether Coliprotec is the same product as the one invested in by Ag- West Bio.
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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has already licensed Coliprotec, according to the website.
Brad Bly, director of commercialization for Ag-West Bio, said the product is promising and could provide an alternative to antibiotics.
It is an avirulent live vaccine, meaning it contains bacteria that produce no dangerous toxins. It triggers an immune response in pigs that combats the types of E. coli that can cause diarrhea and edema.
Bly said Prevtec is working with the Saskatchewan Research Council and has invested $850,000 to develop the product.
“With this company, the benefit is two-fold. The smaller benefit would be to the producers because not all of them are going to use this technology.
“The second thing, the bigger benefit, is the economic activity.”
Bly said the SRC is now creating samples for Prevtec to use in regulator y submissions and testing. If approved, the next step would be full commercialization.
Ag-West Bio promotes the biotechnology industry in Saskatchewan. To qualify for funding, Bly said companies must have a strong presence in the province and show potential to provide substantial benefit to Saskatchewan.
He said Prevtec Microbia West, a division ofQuebec-based Prevtec Microbia, meets the criteria.
