UCalgary scientists help solve a problem in the developing world

A team of University of Calgary researchers jumped into action when the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Global Affairs Canada, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation called on scientists to create vaccines for neglected livestock diseases in low- and middle-income countries to improve livestock health and the livelihoods of farmers. 

Building on established partnerships in Canada, Africa and South Asia, the team led by Dr. Anthony Schryvers set out to design a vaccine against hemorragic septicemia, a deadly bacterial disease that destroys livestock and livelihoods.

"This devastating disease can eliminate the small number of cattle or buffalo that families rely on for their livelihood,” says Schryvers, MD'84, PhD, a professor at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). “A one-shot vaccine with a long-lasting immune response was needed. Strong existing relationships between the faculty in veterinary and human medicine and with partners in Africa and Asia were essential to address this challenge.” 

Supported by a grant through the Livestock Vaccine Innovation fund, Schryvers also leaned into an established collaboration that was critical for success. He had already worked with University of Toronto researchers Dr. Scott Gray-Owen, BSc'91, PhD'96, and Dr. Trevor Moraes, PhD, developing vaccines for humans and food-production animals. Their combined expertise in antigen selection, design and testing provided a pipeline of new and original vaccine antigens to select from.

“Developing a new vaccine was based on foundational research that the team of researchers was already doing. Dr. Schryvers’ work on antigen design and reengineering, essential to vaccine development, was at the forefront, plus all the players were in place,” says Dr. Guido van Marle, PhD, a fellow CSM professor, director of international partnerships with the Indigenous, Local and Global Health Office, and a longtime research and teaching collaborator. "Schryvers has a knack of leveraging partnerships and connections to create change.”

Building on well-established collaborations

Schryvers and van Marle say the international collaborations that made this project possible were envisioned years ago by a core group of UCalgary faculty in medicine, science and veterinary medicine who were interested in establishing an international program for knowledge-sharing and training opportunities. Dr. Lashitew Gedamu, PhD, with the Faculty of Science, was among the first to start relationship-building in Ethiopia more than 25 years ago. From there, UCalgary’s Bachelor of Health Sciences and Global Health programs began building research and education partnerships involving both Schryvers and van Marle. 

“When the Gates Foundation announced a call to action, having long-term partnerships allowed us to move quickly and engage scientists from Ethiopia and Bhutan to tackle the problem,” says Schryvers. 

The collaboration involved visits between countries to compare methods for sampling and diagnosing infection and understanding the need for long-lasting protection from infection. The exchange of ideas and methods led to training opportunities for techniques used in the Schryvers Lab that could assist in vaccine-evaluation and potential production in Ethiopia or Bhutan. 

Innovation and commercialization 

“Very early in my career, I got involved in commercialization,” says Schryvers. “I worked with the university’s technology transfer office (now known as Innovate Calgary) in 1990 on my first patent.”

Schryvers and the co-PIs have now filed a patent for the new vaccine they developed against hemorrhagic septicemia, and the findings were published in PLOS Pathogens. 

Schryvers’ team has been able to show the vaccine works, how it can be scaled up in the developing world and how it could be brought to market commercially. The next step is finding a manufacturer to produce the vaccine in the developing world close to farms in need. 

“It is important to recognize how the unique, highly collaborative environment at the University of Calgary was instrumental in enabling us to achieve our goal and realize how important others have been in our accomplishments,” says Schryvers.

Building on the work of leaders at UCalgary and partner institutions globally, CSM and the faculties of Veterinary Medicine and Science have worked together to strengthen undergraduate, graduate and faculty engagement in global health research, establishing sustainable, equitable and collaborative research partnerships in many counties across the world.