by Amy LeBlanc
The health of our planet is strained. Stressed ecosystems and poor livestock conditions are leading to the emergence of new infectious diseases: over 30 novel human pathogens have been detected in the last three decades, of which 75% originated in wild or domestic animals (including COVID-19). Meanwhile, climate change is worsening the spread of disease vectors like mosquitos and ticks, impacting food systems, and threatening the safety of our communities via natural disasters like floods and fires.
In recognition of this interdependence between human, animal and environmental health, the World Health Organization (WHO) is encouraging an integrated, unified approach called ‘One Health’. The aim is to work together across sectors to improve the health of people, animals, and the environment to achieve a better planet for all.
A deep-rooted passion for animal health
Jan Spaas is a Belgian veterinarian and researcher in veterinary science, with many patents and entrepreneurial successes to his name. His deep care for animal health is rooted in his upbringing in the Belgian countryside, where his father was a horse breeder. “I was surrounded by horses from a very young age, and developed a passion for riding and showjumping,” Spaas says. In his youth, he won the bronze medal twice at the European Championship. But with his successes also came setbacks: “My horses often got injured and I grew frustrated with the lack of treatment options. It motivated me to pursue a veterinary degree at Ghent University, and a career dedicated to improving animal health.”
“I want to help improve the health of creatures that cannot speak for themselves.” – Jan Spaas
After his PhD, Spaas cofounded Global Stem cell Technology (GST) – a company developing regenerative therapies for horses and dogs. GST was eventually acquired by Boehringer Ingelheim – one of the world’s few major companies dedicated to both animal and human health – where Spaas went on to become the Global Head of Animal Health Research, before recently moving back home to Belgium. “These days I split my time between academic work as visiting professor at UGent, and research into treatments and supplements for horses at the Via Nova Equine Hospital, which I cofounded with my wife and is now part of the Altano group. After all this time, this is where my primary focus still lies – I want to help improve the health of creatures that cannot speak for themselves.”
More tools in the AMR toolbox
When asked about current threats to global health, Spaas has one clear challenge in mind: Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). “Antibiotics are essential for both human and animal health. But their overuse, particularly in the livestock industry, is driving development of dangerous antibiotic-resistant pathogens which are causing deaths in both animals and people,” Spaas explains.
At Boehringer Ingelheim, Spaas was involved with research into antibiotic replacement options. “What brings me hope is that there is a rising awareness of the issue around the world – from European chicken farmers to South American cattle ranches, there is an increasing focus on animal welfare and a push for more responsible antibiotic use.”
“What brings me hope is that there is a rising awareness of the [AMR] issue around the world.” – Jan Spaas
Many companies are developing products to help farmers reduce and replace antibiotics without compromising the health of their animals. “We’re continuously adding more tools to our toolbox,” says Spaas. The industry is developing prophylactic options, like an E. coli vaccine for pigs, as well as more creative solutions for early-detection and prevention.
One such solution developed in Belgium is SoundTalks: an early-detection system for respiratory diseases in pigs. SoundTalks uses microphones in pigsties to collect and analyze the noise from the stalls, sending a phone alert to the farmer if it detects a persistent pig cough. “That way the farmer can isolate or treat the sick pig before it has a chance to spread the infection to the rest of the pigs in the stable, preventing them all from needing antibiotics,” says Spaas. “It’s a clever example of technology being integrated in stable management.”
Protecting pigs, people and planet
Spaas is currently involved in the development of another antibiotic alternative through his role as Chair of the Board of the Belgian biotech Animab – a VIB spin-off that was launched in 2020 with investor support from V-Bio Ventures. The company is developing oral antibodies to improve gut health, initially used to protect piglets from infections during their fragile post-weaning phase.
“When I first learned of Animab’s solution I thought: Bullseye: this is it! It’s exactly the kind of alternative we need to reduce antibiotic use. Even better: the company has achieved a cost-effective method of production for these antibodies, which are usually expensive to create.” Affordability is particularly important in agrifood innovation, because profit margins for farmers are already extremely slim, meaning that any new products need to be cost-competitive with existing products. “For farmers, every cent counts,” Spaas acknowledges. “But that is why I think these types of creative and practical solutions are the future for animal health.”
Read this article to find out more about Animab’s oral antibody solutions!
By reducing the microbial burden of pathogens like E. coli or Salmonella in chickens, pigs and cows, we can reduce animal suffering, help farmers and combat the rise in AMR. But these efforts also have a positive downstream effect on the people who eventually consume the resulting animal products. “By treating livestock with biological therapies that don’t harm the environment, we can make sure that our meat, egg or dairy products are cleaner and healthier too. This is the One Health perspective; when we protect animals, we also protect people and the planet.”
“This is the One Health perspective; when we protect animals, we also protect people and the planet.” – Jan Spaas
Like owner, like dog
It’s not only animal health that affects people, but also the other way around. Many trends in human health are reflected in the wellbeing of our companion animals. There is currently a rise in the prevalence of allergies and inflammatory diseases in our pets, and around 60% of dogs and cats are now overweight or obese, often struggling with the usual health complications that accompany excess weight such as diabetes and osteoarthritis.
“Unfortunately, the health of our pets mirrors our own very closely,” says Spaas. “People have become more sedentary in their lifestyles, and our diets have become heavily loaded with fats and carbs. Both of these factors affect our companion animals, especially because we’re increasingly likely to view and treat pets as part of the family – keeping them with us as we’re watching TV or sneaking them scraps from the table.”
“When treating animals, there is a lot we can learn from human medicine.” – Jan Spaas
The good news is that human treatment techniques can also be used to develop veterinary solutions for our domestic animals. Stem cell therapy is one such innovative treatment method, which was initially developed for people but is now also being used for animals. Spaas personally helped develop a stem-cell therapy for horses and dogs with osteoarthritis during his time with GST.
Another success story is a new treatment for feline diabetes called Senvelgo, which is based on a similar mechanism of action as the human antidiabetic medication empagliflozin. “Senvelgo has been a huge breakthrough for pet owners, because before it was developed, the only treatment option was to administer an insulin injection to the cat twice a day. If you’ve ever had anything to do with a cat, you can imagine how painful that process is for both pet and owner! But this new product is orally administered; just a few drops on the cat’s food, and their diabetes can be kept under control for many years.”
“When treating animals, there is a lot we can learn from human medicine,” Spaas says. “My hope for the future is for better prevention, and for drugs to get to patients quicker and easier – whether that patient is a pig, pet or person. I think that better integration between human and animal health can help us achieve that.”
Image: Jan Spaas with a horse (©Laurien De Grande)
