Commercializing Nanoprotec® for ETEC protection in piglets in Europe
Zwijnaarde, Belgium, 22 April, 2025 - Animab (“the Company”), a leader in pioneering first-in-class oral antibody solutions for unmet needs in production animals, today announces an exclusive distribution agreement with Huvepharma® (“Huvepharma”), a global pharmaceutical company specializing in the development, manufacturing and marketing of human and animal health and nutrition products. Huvepharma and Animab will join forces to bring Nanoprotec®, Animab’s first oral monoclonal antibody product, onto the European market.
Nanoprotec® targets enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4, a major cause of diarrhea in piglets, leading to slow growth and mortality. Current disease control strategies for ETEC F4 rely heavily on antimicrobials. Nanoprotec® provides an antibiotic-free approach that neutralizes pathogens efficiently, enhancing both animal welfare and sustainable livestock management. With over 60 million piglets affected annually in the EU, Animab’s novel antibody treatment will set a new standard in disease control by providing immediate immunity, administered through drinking water.
“We are delighted to partner with Huvepharma, whose strong commitment to innovative and animal-friendly disease control solutions aligns with our vision", says Alain Wille, CEO of Animab. “This collaboration will enable us to make a meaningful difference in livestock health and productivity, meeting the evolving demands of sustainable animal production.”
“Nanoprotec® is designed to enhance animal welfare, improve productivity, and reduce reliance on antibiotics in livestock farming", added Jan Spaas, Chairman of the Board of Animab. “With Huvepharma’s extensive market reach and expertise, we are confident that our product will be widely adopted, supporting both food safety and responsible farming practices. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to offer sustainable and responsible animal health solutions.”
Eddy Piron, Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Wouter Depondt, Global Marketing Director veterinary products at Huvepharma, commented: “Nanoprotec® is a valuable addition to our portfolio, offering a targeted and antibiotic-free approach to managing weaning diarrhea in piglets. It complements our existing E. coli enteritis solutions and reinforces our commitment to innovative, sustainable animal health advancements.”
A Game-Changer in Animal Health
Founded in 2020 as a spin-off from VIB, University of Ghent (UGent) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Animab has rapidly emerged as a leader in livestock disease control innovation. Backed by a strong European investment consortium, the Company has secured over €12 million in funding from Seventure Partners, VIB, PMV, AIF, V-Bio Ventures, and Qbic III. Clinical trials of Nanoprotec® demonstrated a significant reduction in symptoms associated with ETEC F4 infections. The monoclonal antibody prevents bacterial adhesion to the intestinal wall, effectively blocking the bacteria from becoming pathogenic. Regulatory filing of Nanoprotec® to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is planned by the end of this year, with market launch anticipated by the end of 2026.
Animab’s proprietary, scalable platform technology enables the cost-effective production of orally administered monoclonal antibodies, designed to prevent intestinal infections, enhance overall health, and optimize livestock productivity. The Company is committed to addressing unmet needs in production animals and continues to expand its research and development pipeline. Several novel oral antibody solutions are currently in development, targeting bacterial and viral gastrointestinal infections in livestock.
Our strong foundations, dynamic drive and clear business orientation have resulted in Huvepharma being one of the top ten veterinary pharmaceutical companies operating around the world today. Huvepharma is a privately-owned company, headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria. Our manufacturing subsidiary, Biovet, is headquartered in Peshtera, Bulgaria, and has independent manufacturing units in various other locations. Large, modern fermentation plants provide capacity for producing major molecules, purification and downstream processing and house extensive R&D, quality assurance and packaged goods facilities.
Animab is a biotech company founded in 2020 as a spin off from VIB, UGent and VUB, dedicated to addressing the changing needs of livestock production. Leveraging proprietary research discoveries, Animab focuses on targeting astrointestinal infections in animals. Its interdisciplinary team integrates cutting-edge research in animal science and biotechnology to advance product breakthroughs, cost-efficiency and sustainability in animal health. Led by experts in vaccines, biotechnology, business management and international marketing, Animab is committed to offering safe and sustainable solutions that enhance animal performance and well-being.
