GALVmed Company Profile

Background

The Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2004, headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland. Operating as a public-private partnership and registered charity, GALVmed's mission is to improve the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers by providing accessible and affordable animal health tools within a sustainable economic framework. The organization focuses on protecting livestock to enhance human lives, aiming to benefit the approximately 900 million people worldwide who rely on livestock for their livelihoods.

Key Strategic Focus

GALVmed concentrates on developing and delivering vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics for livestock diseases that significantly impact smallholder farmers in developing regions. The organization targets 12 critical diseases affecting cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry, including:

Cattle Diseases: East Coast fever, Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, Trypanosomosis, Lumpy skin disease.

Sheep and Goat Diseases: Peste des petits ruminants, Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia, Sheep and goat pox, Brucellosis.

Pig Diseases: Porcine cysticercosis (zoonotic), African swine fever.

Poultry Diseases: Newcastle disease.

Multi-Species Diseases: Rift Valley fever (zoonotic).

GALVmed's strategic objectives include:

Product Development: Advancing 20 veterinary products, comprising 11 vaccines, 4 pharmaceuticals, and 2 diagnostics, through various stages from exploratory research to commercialization.

Geographical Reach: Supporting activities in 15 African countries, as well as India and Nepal, with product development initiatives spanning Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, and Australia.

Partnerships: Collaborating with over 200 partners across public and private sectors to enhance the development and distribution of animal health products.

Financials and Funding

GALVmed has secured substantial funding to support its initiatives:

Phase 1 (2008-2015): Received £20 million jointly from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).

Phase 2 (2012-2017): Secured over £31.3 million (US$51.5 million) from DFID and BMGF, with DFID contributing 20% and BMGF 80%.

These funds have been utilized to develop and distribute vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics, aiming to improve livestock health and, consequently, the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Pipeline Development

GALVmed's pipeline includes:

East Coast Fever Vaccine: Collaborated with the Centre for Tick and Tick-Borne Diseases in Malawi to produce the Muguga Cocktail vaccine, offering lifetime protection for cattle.

Newcastle Disease Vaccine: Partnered with Hester Biosciences Limited to distribute a thermostable vaccine in India, targeting backyard poultry farmers.

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Vaccine: Launched a cost-sharing phase for a quadrivalent FMD vaccine in Eastern Africa, developed by Biopharma, to address multiple FMD strains prevalent in the region.

Technological Platform and Innovation

GALVmed leverages various technological platforms and methodologies to develop effective animal health solutions:

Proprietary Technologies: Development of thermostable vaccines suitable for regions with limited cold chain infrastructure.

Scientific Methods: Utilization of advanced immunology and vaccinology techniques to create vaccines tailored to specific regional disease profiles.

Leadership Team

Dr. Carolin Schumacher: Chief Executive Officer, leading GALVmed's strategic direction and operations.

Dr. Karelle de Luca: Appointed as Head of Research & Development in August 2023, bringing over 15 years of experience in immunology and vaccinology from roles at Boehringer Ingelheim, Merial, and Sanofi.

Leadership Changes

In August 2023, Dr. Karelle de Luca joined GALVmed as Head of Research & Development, succeeding the previous head whose tenure concluded earlier that year.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The global animal health market is characterized by:

Market Size and Growth: Significant growth driven by increasing demand for livestock products and the need for effective disease control measures.

Industry Trends: Emphasis on developing vaccines and treatments for diseases affecting livestock in developing regions, with a focus on sustainability and accessibility.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the animal health sector include:

Ceva Santé Animale: Engages in initiatives to enhance sustainability in Africa's poultry industry through collaboration and innovation.

Hester Biosciences Limited: Partners with organizations like GALVmed to distribute vaccines in South Asia, focusing on diseases like Newcastle disease.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

GALVmed's significant collaborations include:

African Union: Works with various AU bodies to enhance vaccine production and distribution across Africa.

Biopharma: Partnered to develop and register a quadrivalent FMD vaccine tailored for Eastern Africa.

Hester Biosciences Limited: Collaborates to market thermostable Newcastle disease vaccines in India.

Ceva Santé Animale: Jointly hosted events to drive sustainability in Africa's poultry industry.

Operational Insights

GALVmed's strategic considerations include:

Market Position: Establishing a strong presence in developing regions by addressing unmet needs in livestock disease management.

Competitive Advantages: Leveraging partnerships, focusing on region-specific disease challenges, and developing cost-effective solutions to enhance accessibility and adoption.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

GALVmed's future directions encompass:

Expansion: Increasing operations in South Asia to address regional livestock health challenges.

Innovation: Continuing to develop vaccines and treatments for neglected animal diseases, utilizing advanced scientific methodologies.

Sustainability: Implementing cost-sharing mechanisms and fostering collaborations to ensure the long-term availability and affordability of animal health products.