In a showcase event attended by over 100 invited guests, HRH The Princess Royal congratulated scientists from MRI and their partners for their vital work in animal health and welfare research.

 

The event, held at Moredun’s headquarters just outside Edinburgh, showcased the work Moredun is conducting in vaccine development for livestock in order to prevent animal suffering and improve animal health and welfare, both nationally and internationally.

 

HRH The Princess Royal, as Patron of the Moredun Foundation (the governing body of the Moredun Research Institute), is a regular visitor to Moredun’s base at Pentlands Science Park, Penicuik and enjoys being updated with its work in animal health. Her Royal Highness has stated in previous visits to Moredun that “the Foundation’s commitment to improving animal health and welfare by reducing the burden of animal disease is probably the greatest gift man may offer the animal kingdom.”

 

Moredun is internationally known for its work on the infectious diseases of livestock and is committed to developing new and improved vaccines and diagnostic tests in order to prevent animal disease. This event promoted some of the vaccine development work being undertaken by Moredun Research Institute scientists, including its work trying to develop an effective vaccine against Haemonchus contortus, a blood sucking gastrointestinal gutworm of sheep.

 

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of the Moredun Foundation and Director of MRI commented: “Moredun is dedicated to minimising animal suffering by preventing and controlling livestock disease. The development of new and improved vaccines is therefore a key part of our work and we are delighted to have the continued support of our Patron“.

 

The event also highlighted the success Moredun has in commercialising its research and turning potential animal health products into reality through its commercial company Moredun Scientific Limited (MSL).  Juan Escala, Managing Director of MSL agreed: “There are a number of successful livestock vaccines currently on the market which were developed from initial research carried out at Moredun. Today’s event illustrated the importance of the ongoing research programmes at the Institute in continuing to combat diseases of livestock.”

 

The event also showcased GALVmed (Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines), a charity with close links with Moredun which is working to develop and register veterinary vaccines and medicines in the developing world.

 

Steve Sloan, Chief Executive of GALVmed said, "GALVmed is delighted to have the opportunity to discuss our work with HRH The Princess Royal. As the first UK-based charity of its kind, GALVmed recognises that livestock provide a lifeline for many of the 600 million people who survive on less that 50p a day. Together with our network of partners across the developing world, we are committed to making a difference in livestock health and to poor communities, by improving access to veterinary medicines."