NutriQuest, a leading provider of nutrition and business consulting, research and product development for the swine, poultry and dairy industries, has partnered with Modulant Biosciences to develop a breakthrough technology for control of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome and other swine diseases.

Modulant Biosciences, an Indiana-based biotechnology company, has discovered a small molecule capable of combating the PRRSv virus. The partnership will accelerate the development of this promising drug candidate.

PRRSv costs the U.S. pork industry approximately $1.2 billion annually, according to a recent Iowa State University analysis. Despite countless industry attempts at interventions, the disease has remained a significant challenge for swine producers since the mid-1980s.

“Our research partnership with NutriQuest will enable us to evaluate the best molecule for treating pigs with PRRSv and give the swine industry a long-awaited tool for controlling the disease,” said Modulant Biosciences CEO Tom Campi.

The partnership will also drive research into treatments for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and swine influenza virus, and potential applications for poultry and ruminants.

“I am excited about this opportunity for NutriQuest on two important levels,” said NutriQuest CEO Steve Weiss. “This partnership not only addresses critical challenges facing producers but also expands the NutriQuest capabilities in regulated drug technology development, paving the way for future high-impact innovations in this space.”

Related:South Dakota animal health company ready to tackle H5N1, PCV-4 and aMPV

Modulant Biosciences treats diseases by focusing on host cell processes required for viral replication or involvement in chronic diseases. This novel approach will provide the animal health industry cost-effective therapies to treat or prevent important diseases that are not currently well controlled with existing technologies.

“Our innovation team is eager to advance the work started by Modulant Biosciences,” said Kim Friesen, president of NutriQuest. “Their innovative approach to antiviral drug development combined with our research and development expertise presents an unprecedented opportunity to make significant impacts on swine health.”

The disease research and product development partnership between NutriQuest and Modulant Biosciences begins immediately, with co-aligned efforts initially focused on PRRSv disease treatment.