#United States #Athens #sustainable protein #Dalan Animal Health #Shrimp Vaccine

Dalan Animal Health's Transformative Vaccine Technology

As the global demand for sustainable protein continues to grow dramatically, Dalan Animal Health, Inc. is leading a significant advancement with its pioneering shrimp vaccine. This innovative solution aims to tackle one of the most persistent issues faced by the aquaculture industry—disease outbreaks that decimate livestock and threaten food security worldwide.

A Game-Changing Development

On January 13, 2026, Dalan Animal Health announced the introduction of its first shrimp vaccine, leveraging a novel mechanism of transgenerational immunity. This groundbreaking approach protects the progeny of vaccinated parent shrimp from fatal diseases, representing a scalable biological solution to the challenges faced by animal protein production. The aquaculture sector, which already produces over 94 million metric tons of animal protein annually, has been under pressure due to catastrophic disease outbreaks that can result in 100% mortality rates in shrimp farms. As a result, the industry heavily relies on antibiotics and chemicals, which creates a precarious balance between increasing protein production and maintaining environmental sustainability.

Dr. Annette Kleiser, CEO of Dalan Animal Health, emphasized the significance of this breakthrough, stating that the sustainable protein challenge transcends merely producing more food. It highlights the need for delivering protein without compromising the ecological systems that are vital for our survival. With the vaccine addressing issues that lead to economic losses and wasted resources, it is a multifaceted solution for aquaculture's sustainability conundrum.

The Science Behind the Vaccine

Dalan's recent studies provide compelling evidence of a revolutionary new approach. By activating innate immunity in parent shrimp, their offspring gain broad-spectrum, long-lasting protection. The effectiveness of this methodology was established through oral vaccination of whiteleg shrimp, significantly increasing their resistance to the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV)—one of aquaculture's most notorious threats.

Esteemed aquaculture executive Gabriel Luna noted that disease presents the primary obstacle limiting the sustainable expansion of the aquaculture industry. He remarked, "Dalan's innovative strategy works in harmony with biological principles rather than against them, fostering inherently resilient populations rather than merely addressing individual disease outbreaks. This transformation is critical for securing the future of our global food systems."

Broadening Horizons

The implications of Dalan's industry-first shrimp vaccine extend beyond just the shrimp sector, which is valued at $45 billion and growing at an annual rate of 4-5%. The transgenerational immunity platform developed by Dalan has already been validated in the context of honeybees, leading to the first-ever USDA-licensed vaccine for bees in 2023. Dalan's breakthrough approaches have shown that innate immunity can be activated in both vertebrates and invertebrates, offering significant potential in areas such as salmon farming—where diseases such as sea lice incur substantial economic losses—as well as in poultry and swine production, which face their own significant health challenges.

Aquaculture scientist Dr. Sunil Kadri emphasized the universal nature of innate immunity, suggesting that strategies used for shrimp vaccination could be adapted for other species critical to global food security. He stated, "Dalan's evidential success opens new pathways to address pressing global challenges by aligning with biological systems as they naturally evolve."

Towards a Sustainable Future

Every primary protein producer, including the aquaculture, poultry, and livestock industries, grapples with the challenge of increasing output while simultaneously minimizing environmental impact and reliance on antibiotics. According to Cindy Tsang, a leader in global animal health innovation, Dalan's platform not only provides a viable route for sustainable production but is an actionable solution developed from proven scientific principles, pushing the boundaries of how we can approach animal health and food security.

The transformative potential of this new vaccine has garnered considerable attention from the animal health and aquaculture sectors, as companies across the food production value chain recognize the necessity of advancing disease management strategies. Dr. Kleiser summed up the significance of Dalan's work by asserting, "Whoever masters this technology will gain a substantial competitive edge in the quest to sustainably feed the world’s growing population."

About Dalan Animal Health

Dalan Animal Health, Inc. is committed to revolutionizing animal health solutions to foster a sustainable future. As pioneers in the field of invertebrate vaccines, Dalan holds the distinction of having developed the world’s first USDA-approved vaccine for honeybees and is progressing towards the commercialization of its shrimp vaccine utilizing its proprietary Innate Immunity Platform technology. Recognized globally, Dalan has received numerous accolades, including TIME’s Best Inventions and Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech. For more insights on Dalan’s innovations and animal health solutions, visit www.dalan.com.