Zwijnaarde, 23 April, 2025 – Animab (“the Company”), a leader in pioneering first-in-class oral
antibody solutions for unmet needs in production animals, today announces an exclusive
distribution agreement with Huvepharma® (“Huvepharma”), a global pharmaceutical company
specializing in the development, manufacturing and marketing of human and animal health and
nutrition products. Huvepharma and Animab will join forces to bring Nanoprotec®, Animab’s first
oral monoclonal antibody product, onto the European market.
Nanoprotec® targets enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F4, a major cause of diarrhea in
piglets, leading to slow growth and mortality. Current disease control strategies for ETEC F4 rely
heavily on antimicrobials. Nanoprotec® provides an antibiotic-free approach that neutralizes
pathogens efficiently, enhancing both animal welfare and sustainable livestock management.
With over 60 million piglets affected annually in the EU, Animab’s novel antibody treatment will
set a new standard in disease control by providing immediate immunity, administered through
drinking water.
“We are delighted to partner with Huvepharma, whose strong commitment to innovative and
animal-friendly disease control solutions aligns with our vision, says Alain Wille, CEO of
Animab. “This collaboration will enable us to make a meaningful difference in livestock health
and productivity, meeting the evolving demands of sustainable animal production.”
“Nanoprotec® is designed to enhance animal welfare, improve productivity, and reduce reliance
on antibiotics in livestock farming, added Jan Spaas, Chairman of the Board of Animab. “With
Huvepharma’s extensive market reach and expertise, we are confident that our product will be
widely adopted, supporting both food safety and responsible farming practices. This partnership
marks a significant milestone in our mission to offer sustainable and responsible animal health
solutions.”
Eddy Piron, Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Wouter Depondt, Global Marketing
Director veterinary products at Huvepharma, commented: “Nanoprotec® is a valuable
addition to our portfolio, offering a targeted and antibiotic-free approach to managing weaning
diarrhea in piglets. It complements our existing E. coli enteritis solutions and reinforces our
commitment to innovative, sustainable animal health advancements.“
A Game-Changer in Animal Health
Founded in 2020 as a spin-off from VIB, University of Ghent (UGent) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel
(VUB), Animab has rapidly emerged as a leader in livestock disease control innovation. Backed
by a strong European investment consortium, the Company has secured over €12 million in
funding from Seventure Partners, VIB, PMV, AIF, V-Bio Ventures, and Qbic III.
Clinical trials of Nanoprotec® demonstrated a significant reduction in symptoms associated with
ETEC F4 infections. The monoclonal antibody prevents bacterial adhesion to the intestinal wall,
effectively blocking the bacteria from becoming pathogenic. Regulatory filing of Nanoprotec® to
the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is planned by the end of this year, with market launch
anticipated by the end of 2026.
Animab’s proprietary, scalable platform technology enables the cost-effective production of
orally administered monoclonal antibodies, designed to prevent intestinal infections, enhance
overall health, and optimize livestock productivity. The Company is committed to addressing
unmet needs in production animals and continues to expand its research and development
pipeline. Several novel oral antibody solutions are currently in development, targeting bacterial
and viral gastrointestinal infections in livestock.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About Huvepharma
Our strong foundations, dynamic drive and clear business orientation have resulted in Huvepharma
being one of the top ten veterinary pharmaceutical companies operating around the world today.
Huvepharma is a privately-owned company, headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria. Our manufacturing
subsidiary, Biovet, is headquartered in Peshtera, Bulgaria, and has independent manufacturing units
in various other locations. Large, modern fermentation plants provide capacity for producing major
molecules, purification and downstream processing and house extensive R&D, quality assurance and
packaged goods facilities.
More information: https://www.huvepharma.com
About Animab
Animab is a biotech company founded in 2020 as a spin off from VIB, UGent and VUB, dedicated to
addressing the changing needs of livestock production. Leveraging proprietary research discoveries,
Animab focuses on targeting gastrointestinal infectionsin animals. Its interdisciplinary team integrates
cutting-edge research in animal science and biotechnology to advance product breakthroughs, cost
efficiency and sustainability in animal health. Led by experts in vaccines, biotechnology, business
management and international marketing, Animab is committed to offering safe and sustainable
solutions that enhance animal performance and well-being.
More information: www.animab.com
For more information, please contact:
Animab
Alain Wille, CEO of Animab
Phone: +32 467 06 00 91
Email: alain.wille@animab.com
Huvepharma
Veerle Hautekiet, Global Marketing Director
Phone: +32 491 37 31 81
Email : Veerle.Hautekiet@huvepharma.com
