At a time when Cyprus is facing one of the greatest animal health challenges for its livestock sector in decades, Biogénesis Bagó has shipped an initial batch of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine doses to support the emergency immunization campaign led by the country’s veterinary authorities.
The operation sets a precedent for animal health in Europe: this is the first time a European Union member state has received foot-and-mouth disease vaccines manufactured in Argentina. Until now, these countries’s been supplied exclusively by European manufacturers. “This is a milestone, as it marks the first shipment of a vaccine developed and manufactured in Argentina to a European Union country. The world in general—and Cyprus in particular—is facing unmet demand for foot-and-mouth disease vaccines as a result of ongoing outbreaks. Our development expertise, our ability to respond to this type of emergency, and the quality of our products place us in a strong position to be present, as we currently are in South Africa and Israel,” said Esteban Turic, CEO of Biogénesis Bagó.
Cyprus lost its status as a foot-and-mouth disease-free country where vaccination is not practiced before the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) on February 19, following the detection of several outbreaks in the Larnaca region. Since then, authorities have implemented restrictions on animal movement, suspended live cattle exports, and launched an emergency vaccination program to contain the spread of the virus.
“When the disease began spreading across the country, it became clear that continuing to rely exclusively on stamping out would result in extremely high economic losses, in addition to producer compensation. Vaccination offers a far more efficient alternative for the country and the region, from both an animal health and an economic standpoint,” Turic said.
The epidemiological situation on the island has distinctive characteristics. The outbreak is associated with serotype SAT 1, a variant originating in southern Africa that has also been detected in Lesbos, Greece, as well as in Israel and Türkiye. This serotype requires specific vaccines, as formulations commonly used in other regions do not provide adequate protection.
Biogénesis Bagó’s ability to respond to this emergency is also supported by recent scientific evidence. A study conducted by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, a global reference laboratory for foot-and-mouth disease, confirmed that the company’s vaccine provides 100% protection against the SAT 1, topotype III strain when administered in a two-dose regimen, and 86% protection with a single dose.
Biogénesis Bagó’s solutions currently reach the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, supported by a network of 13 subsidiaries, eight manufacturing facilities across six countries, and installed capacity to produce 450 million vaccine doses annually.
The shipment of vaccines to Cyprus adds to the company’s growing presence in Europe. Through its subsidiary in Spain and its manufacturing capabilities in the country, Biogénesis Bagó is working to bring its expertise in veterinary biotechnology, disease prevention, and technology transfer to one of the world’s most demanding markets.