ALTANT programme: four alternatives for the use of antibiotics

The agricultural sector still uses very large amounts of antibiotics – too many according to many scientists in the Netherlands and abroad. Their use results in bacteria that are harmful for humans and animals becoming increasingly resistant to treatment. This in turn increases the chance of untreatable disease outbreaks as well as a growing number of zoonoses – diseases transmitted between animals and humans. It is vital that alternative strategies are found to combat infectious bacteriological diseases.

Immuno Valley has installed and manages the research program ALTANT (ALTernatives for ANTibiotics) that targets innovative products instrumental in the reduction of the use of antibiotics in livestock farming. This program is made possible by funding through the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality for the period January 2008-December 2010. The program comprises 4 projects each covering a different line of development.

- ASIA: targets novel anti-microbial peptides in chickens and pigs 
- MODIPHY: targets phytochemicals that have anti-microbial and immunostimulatory characteristics
- ­RESUPLYS: targets bacteriophages or their lysins specific for Streptococcus suis in pigs.
­- EVAC: targets a vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus a major causative agent of bovine mastitis.

The objective of each of the projects was to reach a proof of potential, which means to demonstrate feasibility (efficacy in vitro and/or in vivo) in a defined infection model or in target animals. The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality wants to stimulate product development by investing also for a second term in the two most promising projects. Prerequisite hereby is that suitable industry will participate sharing the risk and benefits of co-developing a product based on the technology raised in these projects. Although the projects are still ongoing and additional data will be generated, we have summarized the results obtained so far in a factsheet in order to inform you well in advance about the possibilities to join the program. The factsheets comprise non-confidential data and provide a first glance at the scope of ASIA, MODIPHY and RESUPLYS which are the three projects currently open for participation.

Immuno Valley invites you and your company to express your interest to participate in the ALTANT program by sending an e-mail to A. Vermeulen before September 1, 2010. For those companies that have expressed their interests we will plan individual follow-up meetings covered by a secrecy agreement in which the data can be discussed and the terms for collaboration can be exchanged.