Tuesday 29 July 2025

Ovagen Group Limited, the Irish biotech, has announced groundbreaking results from a Yellow Fever virus yield study that could transform the economics of global vaccine manufacturing.

Conducted at the Pirbright Institute (UK), a world-renowned centre tackling viral diseases of livestock, the comparative study showed that Ovagen’s Germ Free embryonated chicken eggs delivered up to 7,600 doses of yellow fever virus 17D per egg. 

Drastically improves production efficiency

This yield advantage significantly lowers the cost per dose and drastically improves production efficiency with significant cost saving implications combining scalability with the elimination of the use of antibiotics.

Dr Catherine Caulfield, CEO of Ovagen, said: "What we have developed isn’t incremental, it’s a complete rethink of the vaccine manufacturing process. Our germ free egg platform eliminates bacterial contamination and reduces the need for antibiotics in vaccine production, while delivering significantly higher viral yield. This is high-impact science with high-value commercial outcomes.”

The results of the Pirbright Institute study using Ovagen’s technology demonstrated that:

• Ovagen Germ Free eggs resulted in 7,606 doses of Yellow Fever vaccine per egg versus six doses and 422 doses per SPF egg, respectively, from two leading SPF egg suppliers;
• Up to a fivefold lower interferon beta response, boosting viral replication.

The technology offers immediate scalability and significant margins for manufacturers, all while reducing waste and environmental impact. For public health systems and vaccine developers alike, it enables faster response times, lower costs, and increased resilience in the face of a public health crisis.

Investor opportunity

Ovagen’s IP-protected platform is commercially ready, with eggs already available. The company is currently engaging with strategic partners, global pharmaceutical manufacturers, and new investors to accelerate market penetration.

Backed by Enterprise Ireland, Ovagen represents a standout opportunity in Europe’s deep tech and biotech sectors. With growing global demand for scalable, clean, and efficient vaccine platforms, the company is now positioned for rapid international growth.

Tom Cusack, head of industrial and life sciences at Enterprise Ireland, said: “Enterprise Ireland is proud to support Ovagen as they continue to scale their innovation and ambition. Their germ-free egg technology shows real potential to drive greater efficiency in vaccine manufacturing, and it’s encouraging to see this level of innovation emerging from the west of Ireland. Ovagen’s progress highlights the strength of Ireland’s biotech sector and the impact that Irish companies can have on global health challenges.”

Ovagen was founded with the ambitious goal of developing the world’s first commercially viable germ-free egg production system for use in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Having secured more than €21m in funding through a mix of private investment, promoter funds, VC, Enterprise Ireland and EIC Accelerator backing, the company has developed a state-of-the-art facility, secured global patent protection, sales traction and validated significantly higher viral yields compared to industry-standard SPF eggs. 

Wayne Collins, VP of business development at Ovagen added: “This is the kind of cutting edge innovation that’s built for global scale. Our commercial conversations have already begun with major pharma and vaccine manufacturers, and we’re open to conversations with strategic investors who see the scale of what’s possible here.”