Three organizations receive Milestone 1 Payments of US $100,000

As first announced in July 2017, we are delighted to report on the award of the first Brucellosis Vaccine Prize competition prizes, with three organizations each receiving Milestone 1 Payments of US $100,000.

The trio – European biotech company Brucella Greenvac, international animal health company Virbac and American-based Texas A&M University – received the awards following an assessment of their respective applications based on scientific soundness, as well as suitability of research and manufacturing capabilities.

The Brucellosis Vaccine Prize News team spoke to representatives for each of the winning organizations – take a look at their reactions to winning below, and if you would like to be considered for one of the remaining prizes of US $100,000, visit www.brucellosisvaccine.org and apply today!

Brucella Greenvac director Ignacio Grilló said the award has boosted expectations and given the organization’s scientific team confidence to continue.

“Moreover, the fact that this disease ranks consistently among the top sanitary problems in the world, and that we have the possibility to contribute a solution for so many people and animals in developing countries, gives us extra motivation.”

Virbac’s Corporate Product Innovation Director Jean-Pascal Marc, said:

“Virbac is very proud to have an ambitious brucellosis vaccination project recognised by such prestigious organisations as AgResults and GALVmed. This is an additional source of motivation for all involved teams to pursue the aim of delivering a more efficient and safer vaccine to fight such an important disease.”

Texas A&M University’s Professor of Veterinary Pathobiology Thomas Ficht said that the team was honoured to receive the award, which culminates 30+ years of scientific research, development and innovation.

“This will prepare the team for the overall programme goal of large-scale manufacturing and commercial product distribution, which could ease economic hardships and potentially offer relief from disease to millions of people and animals.”

We’d like to wish all those organizations accepted into Phase 2 of the Competition all the best as they progress. We’ll be hearing more from each of the awardees over the coming weeks; please keep an eye on the News page of our site for exclusive interviews.

Prizes are available at each phase, with multiple prizes of US $100,000 in Phase 1 and $1,000,000 in Phase 2 leading to a Grand Prize of US $20 million for the first Solver that registers a vaccine meeting the MVP.

The Phase 1 prize deadline is 18^th November 2017, so visit www.brucellosisvaccine.org to apply today!