August 15, 2023

USDA to grant license for experimental ASF vaccine by Bulgarian firm Huvepharma

The United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS) has announced that it has granted an exclusive license for an experimental African swine fever (ASF) vaccine to Huvepharma EOOD, a company based in Sofia, Bulgaria, The Hog Farmer reported.

The experimental vaccine is described in US Patent No. 9,463,234, titled "Attenuated African Swine Fever Virus Strain Induces Protection Against Challenge with Homologous Virulent Parental Virus Georgia 2007 Isolate," which was issued on October 11, 2016.

Under the terms of the potential agreement, the exclusive license granted to Huvepharma will involve royalty payments. However, this license can only be granted if, within 30 days from the publication of this official notice, the USDA ARS does not receive written evidence and arguments that demonstrate the license's inconsistency with the requirements outlined in 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7.

Huvepharma, headquartered in Sofia, specialises in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of both human and animal health products. Their product range encompasses anticoccidials, veterinary products, feed additives, and medicated feed additives. Additionally, the company is engaged in the production and marketing of enzymes for applications in the food, feed, and industrial sectors.

-      The Hog Farmer