Latest news with #Capripox
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Wire
Seek Labs Announces Inclusion of Veterinary Diseases in Global Disease Atlas, Accelerating Development of Therapeutics to Bolster Global Protein Supply Chains
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seek Labs, a biotech company boldly seeking a healthier world through AI-powered discovery, programmable therapeutics, and point-of-care diagnostics, today announced the inclusion of veterinary pathogens in its Global Disease Atlas, tackling head-on one of global health's most pressing challenges: safeguarding protein supply chains, which remain exposed to both endemic and emerging biological diseases. These threats directly undermine the resilience of food systems and lead to protein shortages, price volatility, and supply chain destabilization, causing billions in economic losses through culling, trade bans, and supply disruptions. African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), Capripox (Lumpy Skin Disease, Sheep Pox, Goat Pox), and Classical Swine Fever (CSFV) are among the diseases already mapped by Seek Labs' BioSeeker™ discovery engine to accelerate the development of targeted therapeutics. African Swine Fever (ASFV), Capripox (Lumpy Skin Disease, Sheep Pox, Goat Pox), and Classical Swine Fever (CSFV) are among the diseases already mapped by Seek Labs' BioSeeker™ discovery engine to accelerate the development of targeted therapeutics. Share From Genomic Mapping to Therapeutic Design: How BioSeeker Powers the Programmable Target Ablation Platform (PTAP) BioSeeker™ scans thousands of publicly available genomic sequences to identify high-potential, PTAP-compatible targets essential for viral replication. These mapped targets form a blueprint intended to guide development of programmable, CRISPR-based 'seek-and-destroy' therapeutics that target the pathogen at its genetic core. This adaptability includes targeting both RNA and DNA viruses. Progress in Veterinary Therapeutic Programs with PTAP African Swine Fever Virus African Swine Fever Virus represents an ongoing crisis that has caused over $100 billion in global economic losses, repeatedly disrupting pork production, which is a critical protein source worldwide. Seek Labs has developed an ASFV therapeutic candidate that successfully completed in vivo trials, demonstrating an increase from 0% survival to nearly 60% survival in animals challenged with lethal doses of the pandemic strain. 'Our in vivo ASFV trials demonstrated the first successful study in a veterinary model using a programmable therapeutic against a high-consequence foreign animal disease, showing our adaptable platform could be engineered as a countermeasure for other viral threats,' said Douglas Gladue, Seek Labs' VP of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Development. Capripox Viruses (Lumpy Skin Disease, Sheep and Goat Pox) Capripox viruses cause widespread livestock outbreaks across continents, with cumulative losses estimated at over $1 billion globally in the past decade due to culling, trade bans, and production declines. These closely related pathogens—including Lumpy Skin Disease, Sheep Pox, and Goat Pox—belong to the same viral family (Capripox) and share highly conserved genomic regions. BioSeeker has identified targets supporting a potential pan-Capripox therapeutic to combat outbreaks across regions. Classical Swine Fever (CSFV) Classical Swine Fever (CSFV) is a persistent, highly contagious transboundary threat that has caused over $5 billion in estimated global economic losses in recent decades through trade restrictions, mass culling, and costly eradication campaigns. Together, these veterinary targets demonstrate Seek Labs' capacity to rapidly design, develop, and deliver programmable solutions for diverse, high-consequence threats with PTAP. This cross-species capability not only supports animal health but also strengthens global bio-surveillance and control infrastructure. Partnering for a Holistic Global Health Solution The inclusion of veterinary pathogens underscores Seek Labs' commitment to global health by recognizing the interdependence of human and animal health. By building a robust, partner-ready repository of mapped genomic targets and combining BioSeeker's precision mapping with its Programmable Target Ablation Platform, the company offers partners an efficient path to advance next-generation veterinary therapeutics. Seek Labs invites qualified partners to help deliver transformative solutions that improve health outcomes worldwide, strengthen food security infrastructure, and address a rapidly growing market need. About Seek Labs At Seek Labs, we don't wait for change—we build it. We're pursuing the breakthroughs the world can't wait for by developing programmable 'seek-and-destroy' therapeutics and point-of-care molecular diagnostics that close the gap between outbreak and intervention. At the core of this mission is a layered architecture: BioSeeker™ serves as the Intelligence Layer, continuously mapping conserved viral vulnerabilities in real time; these insights activate our Deployment Layers (PTAP™ for programmable therapeutics and SeekIt™ for molecular diagnostics), forming a full-stack development engine designed to accelerate response, innovation, and impact across global health. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Seek Labs is a proud member of BioHive, Utah's collaborative life sciences ecosystem. Together with our partners, we're building faster, smarter solutions for the world's most urgent health challenges. Forward-Looking Statements and Regulatory Disclaimer This press release includes forward-looking statements about Seek Labs' technologies, development plans, and partnership opportunities. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. The technologies described are investigational and have not been reviewed or approved by the FDA or any other regulatory authority for clinical or commercial use.
India.com
16-07-2025
- Health
- India.com
What Is Lumpy Skin Disease? Check Symptoms And Precautions Amid Outbreak Alert In Maharashtra
A health alert has been issued in Buldhana, Maharashtra, as officials warn of a fresh outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), a highly contagious viral disease that targets cattle and buffaloes. The District Information Office, along with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, has urged farmers to take immediate precautions to stop the spread of the disease and protect their livestock. Lumpy Skin Disease, though not harmful to humans, has devastated India's dairy industry over the last two years, causing significant economic losses and livestock deaths. With over 2 lakh cattle deaths reported previously and millions affected by reduced milk production, the warning in Buldhana is a call for timely action. What Is Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)? Lumpy Skin Disease is a viral infection caused by the Capripox virus, primarily affecting cattle and buffaloes. It's classified as a transboundary animal disease, meaning it can spread rapidly across borders and regions. The disease spreads mainly through the bites of infected vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and flies, and in some cases, through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated feed and water. Common Symptoms of LSD in Cattle Farmers and livestock keepers should look out for these warning signs: 1. Hard skin nodules or lumps spread across the body 2. Fever and fatigue 3. Swollen lymph nodes 4. Drastic drop in milk yield 5. Reduced appetite and movement difficulty 6. Discharge from eyes and nose Infected cattle often show symptoms within 4–14 days of exposure. How to Prevent Lumpy Skin Disease? To limit the outbreak and protect healthy cattle: 1. Vaccinate all eligible animals above 3 months with Biolumpivaxin, a once-a-year vaccine. 2. Isolate infected animals immediately and avoid moving them. 3. Control vectors by using insect repellents and maintaining clean sheds. 4. Avoid sharing equipment between infected and healthy animals. 5. Ensure regular vet check-ups and report any suspicious symptoms early. All About the Biolumpivaxin Vaccine The Biolumpivaxin vaccine has been successfully trialed by ICAR-NRCE, Hisar, and Biovet across thousands of cattle and buffaloes under field conditions, as reported earlier by IANS. Here are its key features: 1. Safe and effective for cattle of all age groups 2. Can be used for pregnant and lactating animals 3. Offers protection against severe symptoms and fatality 4. Must be administered once annually Government Response in Buldhana The Krishi Vigyan Kendra has initiated a public awareness campaign across Buldhana to educate farmers on how to recognise symptoms and adopt proper precautions. Officials emphasise that timely vaccination and isolation are the best defenses. Why This Matters to Dairy Farmers A single infected animal can disrupt the productivity of an entire herd. With LSD leading to milk production losses, reproductive failure, and long-term health issues, farmers are urged to treat this warning with seriousness. Prevention is not just about protecting livestock, it's about securing livelihoods, especially in rural and agrarian communities. Lumpy Skin Disease is a serious threat to cattle health and dairy economics. With a fresh outbreak looming in Maharashtra's Buldhana district, early action can help prevent another nationwide crisis. Farmers must stay alert, report symptoms early, and vaccinate their livestock without delay. FAQs 1. Is Lumpy Skin Disease dangerous to humans? No, LSD only affects cattle and buffaloes; it is not transmissible to humans. 2. What causes LSD to spread? It spreads through mosquito bites, ticks, flies, and direct contact with infected animals. 3. What is the best way to prevent LSD? Vaccination with Biolumpivaxin and controlling insect vectors are the most effective methods. 4. Can pregnant or lactating cows be vaccinated? Yes, Biolumpivaxin is safe for all groups including pregnant and lactating animals. 5. What should I do if my cattle show symptoms? Immediately isolate the affected animal and contact a local veterinarian for guidance and testing.
