BioStone will develop a DIVA ELISA to support vaccine evaluation and disease surveillance.
Dallas–Fort Worth, TX — October 15, 2026 — BioStone Animal Health LLC is pleased to announce its participation in Duo-ProTectz, a three-year international research project led by The Pirbright Institute in the United Kingdom. The project aims to develop a bivalent vaccine against Nipah virus and pseudorabies in pigs, along with a companion diagnostic test. The research is funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care through the UK Vaccine Network (UKVN).
Nipah virus is a highly pathogenic zoonotic virus that can spread from animals to humans and poses a significant threat to public health, particularly in South and Southeast Asia. The 1998–1999 outbreak in Malaysia resulted in substantial human health impacts and the culling of more than one million pigs. Developing an effective vaccine for pigs could help reduce disease transmission while protecting livestock production and farmers’ livelihoods.
As part of the consortium, BioStone will lead the development of a companion DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) ELISA, designed to distinguish naturally infected pigs from vaccinated animals. This diagnostic capability will support vaccine evaluation, disease surveillance, and outbreak control. The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) in Germany will assist with evaluating the diagnostic’s performance and conducting vaccine efficacy studies.
“BioStone is pleased to support the Duo-ProTectz project by contributing diagnostic and reagent development expertise to advance DIVA testing workflows that support vaccine evaluation, disease surveillance, and future outbreak preparedness,” said Dr. Adam Contreras, Director of Protein Engineering at BioStone Animal Health.
Led by Professor Simon Graham at The Pirbright Institute, the consortium includes six organizations: The Pirbright Institute, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, BioStone Animal Health, CPI, Vetquest Research, and BioVacc Consulting. Together, the partners will work to advance vaccine development, safety and efficacy testing, companion diagnostics, and future commercialization.
BioStone’s participation in Duo-ProTectz reflects its continued commitment to developing innovative veterinary diagnostics that support animal health and disease prevention worldwide.
About BioStone Animal Health
BioStone Animal Health LLC is a U.S.-based biotechnology company providing innovative solutions for animal health. BioStone works with partners worldwide to offer a broad portfolio of products and services, including animal disease diagnostic ELISA assays and PCR reagents, food and feed safety testing solutions, veterinary vaccines, animal health management solutions, and veterinary diagnostic services. BioStone develops innovative solutions for livestock, poultry, and companion animals, supporting disease diagnostics, veterinary vaccination, animal health management, and food and feed safety worldwide.
