Frontier IP Group PLC said on Thursday that its portfolio company The Vaccine Group Ltd has been awarded more than £1 million to develop a vaccine to fight bacterial infection in pigs.

The London-based intellectual property commercialisation company said the project, which involves The Vaccine Group, the University of Plymouth and the University of Cambridge, will aim to develop a vaccine that provides cross-protection against different strains of the disease. The research is supported by a grant from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, or Defra, farming innovation program, delivered by Innovate UK.

The project will target Streptococcus suis. This is a bacterial disease that reduces pig farming productivity, affecting up to 60% of pig farms in European countries and an estimated 780 million pigs. It can jump from pigs to humans, causing meningitis, septicaemia and other health issues.

An effective vaccine will reduce the need for antibiotics, which are frequently used to treat the disease.

Matthew White, Frontier IP’s chief commercialisation officer, said: ‘We are delighted that Defra is supporting this important project. Streptococcus suis can cause significant economic harm to pig farmers and is potentially fatal to humans. With governments globally looking to curb antibiotic use, developing effective vaccines is crucial.’

Frontier IP holds a 17% equity stake in The Vaccine Group.

Shares in Frontier IP were up 3.0% to 39.15 pence each in London on Thursday afternoon.

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