Dalan Animal Health Unlocks the Power of Innate Immunity for a New Era in Disease Prevention

ATHENS, Ga., Feb. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dalan Animal Health, a global leader in bioscience innovation, today announced a major breakthrough in food production and disease prevention with its groundbreaking innate immunity platform. Traditionally considered a non-specific defense mechanism, innate immunity can now be systematically trained to provide broad-spectrum, long-term protection against deadly pathogens. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize animal health, food security, and future human health applications.

By activating the innate immune system prenatally, Dalan's platform enables species-wide disease resistance. This transformative approach was first validated with the world's first honeybee vaccine, which has already protected over 20,000 colonies. Now, Dalan is expanding this innovation into aquaculture with the first-ever shrimp vaccine, a critical step in safeguarding the $45 billion global shrimp industry.

"For decades, disease prevention has focused on the adaptive immune system. We are changing that paradigm," said Dr. Annette Kleiser, CEO of Dalan Animal Health. "Our research proves that innate immunity can be trained, offering a revolutionary new way to protect animals, ecosystems, and the global food supply."

Dalan's new vaccine will offer a sustainable, non-chemical alternative to combat devastating diseases such as White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS)—two of the shrimp industry's most pressing threats.

Dalan has demonstrated the ability to train the innate immune system prenatally, offering protection against multiple disease challenges. Dalan's vaccine platform will provide broad spectrum, lifetime protection, where existing vaccines targeting adaptive immunity protect against one strain of pathogen.

"Our work in the $45 billion shrimp aquaculture market represents a critical milestone," explained Fernando Riaza Carcamo, Head of Business Development. "By providing a sustainable, non-chemical solution to combat devastating diseases like White Spot Syndrome Virus and Early Mortality Syndrome, we're not just protecting animals – we're moving entire ecosystems and food production systems forward."

Key Breakthroughs:

Expanding the Frontiers of Immunology

• Innate immunity once thought to lack memory can now be trained, unlocking new disease prevention strategies
• Proven platform technology with successful application in honeybees, now expanding to shrimp
• Potential to revolutionize disease prevention across species, including future applications for vertebrates

Proven Success in Shrimp Health

• 62% absolute survival in shrimp exposed to White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV)
• 61% absolute survival in shrimp exposed to Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS)
• First-ever vaccine for shrimp, administered via the broodstock 
• Non-GMO, non-chemical solution, reducing reliance on antibiotics and chemical treatments

Strengthening Food Security & Sustainability

• Reduces economic losses in shrimp farming caused by infectious diseases
• Enhances biosecurity measures, preventing disease spread across global aquaculture
• Supports global efforts to reduce antibiotic use, combating antimicrobial resistance

"Our mission extends beyond individual animal health," Kleiser emphasized. "We are expanding how we approach disease prevention, with potential applications across invertebrate and potentially vertebrate species. We're not just offering a vaccine – we're providing an innovative tool for economic and ecological sustainability "

Looking Forward

Dalan Animal Health continues to push the boundaries of immunological research, with ongoing investigations into expanding the platform's applications and developing innovative solutions for animal health challenges. With its latest shrimp vaccine poised to enter the market, Dalan is solidifying its role as a global leader in sustainable bioscience innovation.

About Dalan Animal Health

Dalan Animal Health (www.dalan.com) is dedicated to bringing the world transformative animal health solutions to support a more sustainable future. Dalan plans to develop vaccines for other honeybee diseases and underserved invertebrate species, such as shrimp, to deliver a more sustainable food supply. Dalan's biotech innovation has been recognized through numerous international awards such as TIME's Best Inventions, Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech, and most recently featured in FORBES. The company is headquartered in Athens, Georgia at the University of Georgia's Innovation Hub.

SOURCE Dalan Animal Health, Inc.