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HBAN leads €1.1M investment in Mayo biotech company, Ovagen Group Ltd

  • Ovagen has produced the world’s first ‘germ-free’ eggs, a groundbreaking development for vaccine production
  • Ovagen expects that the significant potential of its technology will see it reach €42M in revenues by year-end 2027
  • Funding will be used to carry out R&D evaluation trials on vaccine batches; officially launch the world’s first germ-free eggs targeting major world drug manufacturers; and for the appointment of key additional personnel
  • Company will expand its team by 65 in the next five years

Ballina, Mayo, 3rd February, 2023HBAN (Halo Business Angel Network), the all-island organisation responsible for the promotion of business angel investment, and a joint initiative of Enterprise Ireland and InterTradeIreland, today announces that its syndicates, Irrus Investments and WxNW, have led a €1.1M oversubscribed funding round in Ovagen, the world’s first producer of germ-free eggs. Funding also came from the Western Development Commission (WDC) and an existing shareholder.

Ovagen’s groundbreaking proprietary process is a world-first and addresses a problem that sees up to 20% of egg-based vaccine batches being destroyed. Due to the significance of its product, Ovagen expects to add 65 jobs over the next five years, with revenues reaching €42M by year-end 2027.

Every year, in excess of one billion eggs are used globally as ‘bio-reactors’ to support the development of life-saving human and animal health vaccines. Viruses are injected into the eggs to propagate the virus, which vaccine manufacturers can then use to develop vaccines for diseases including the flu, yellow fever, mumps and measles. However, currently, one-in-five eggs become contaminated, leaving the vaccines they create unfit for use. It is a multi-million-euro problem for the world’s vaccine manufacturing industry.

Following seven years of research and development, Ovagen has now addressed this issue with its superior quality-verified ‘germ-free’ eggs, produced in the company’s Ballina, Co. Mayo, headquarters. The process and technology – which is protected by patents and trade secrets – ensures no bacteria can enter an egg through its porous shell after it is laid.

The latest funding brings the total amount received by Ovagen to-date to more than €19M. It will be used to carry out R&D evaluation trials on vaccine batches, to officially launch the world’s first germ-free eggs, targeting major world drug manufacturers and the appointment of key additional personnel. The company will also seek to prove that its germ-free eggs give a higher viral yield, which the founders believe can significantly reduce the large number of eggs required to produce vaccines – and with it, the costs and logistical issues of transporting those eggs.

Ovagen expects that from its site in Ballina, it will be producing four million eggs annually by 2027, with revenues reaching €42M by the end of that year. This will be supported by increasing the team to 77, up from 12, over the next five years. The company also has plans to build three additional facilities in Ballina, as well as establishing global satellite facilities close to drug manufacturing sites.

Dr. Catherine Caulfield, co-founder and CEO, Ovagen, said:Currently, vaccines are developed using Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) eggs. While these are free of many bacteria and viruses, they are not germ-free and a significant proportion become contaminated with bacteria.

“Our funders have been instrumental in supporting us on our long journey to make a concept a reality. At critical stages in our development, our angel investors have not only provided us with their financial backing, but they have also introduced us to other potential investors, as well as their highly influential industry contacts. Their support, along with the tireless dedication of the Ovagen team, puts us in a very strong position as we prepare to go to market with the world’s first germ-free egg.”

Declan MacFadden, spokesperson for HBAN’s WxNW syndicate, said:The Ovagen team has shown incredible perseverance in pursuit of an idea that many deemed was impossible. The global potential of the company’s technology is vast and that is why this is the second time HBAN syndicates have backed Ovagen. Our investors were also impressed by the unwavering ambition and track record of the founders, who previously sold a company for €25M, giving some early investors a 68X return on their investments.

“Angel investment is a key enabler for early-stage businesses as it helps them to leverage additional funding, while also providing them with access to industry experts who can provide strategic support and introductions to their network of contacts. Ovagen is now in prime position to launch its product and we are excited to see the impact that this groundbreaking development has in a highly lucrative global market.”

Allan Mulrooney, Interim CEO of Western Development Commission, said: The WDC is a long-term investor of Ovagen. The company has continued to grow and innovate to create a world class, economically sustainable product. This round of Investment supported by WDC will enable Ovagen to expand their market and create up to 77 high level roles from its base in Ballina, Mayo. This investment underlines the importance of supporting innovation driven enterprises, leading the success of the existing biotechnology ecosystem in Ireland’s western region. This is a great example of a local company operating on a global scale.”

– Ends –

About Ovagen Group Ltd.

Ovagen Group Limited is an innovation-based biotechnology company, led by experienced entrepreneurs, providing specialist products to the biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical and vaccine industries. The company has developed a proprietary process of producing Germ Free chicken eggs in commercial quantities for use primarily in the pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical industry.

For more information, please contact:

Peg Connor (Administrative Office Manager):

About HBAN

HBAN is a joint initiative of Enterprise Ireland and InterTradeIreland, dedicated to the all-island promotion of business angel investment. The HBAN umbrella group supports the early-stage entrepreneurial community across the island of Ireland and actively works to increase the number of angel investors investing in early-stage companies.  The all-island umbrella group works on a regional basis to support the formation of new angel networks and works with existing angel networks to develop their capability and capacity, and across a range of industry sectors. HBAN also acts as a voice to Government, stakeholders, business and the media to promote the interests and needs of the wider angel investment community. HBAN is managed by Furthr in partnership with the regional Irish BICs in Cork, Galway & Waterford and with Clarendon Fund Managers in Northern Ireland. Further information is available at www.hban.org

About Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland is the Irish government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. The organisation works in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. In this way, Enterprise Ireland supports sustainable economic growth and regional development, and help create and sustain employment in Ireland. www.enterprise-ireland.com

About InterTradeIreland

InterTradeIreland is the only organisation which has been given responsibility by both governments to boost North South economic co-operation to the mutual benefit of Northern Ireland and Ireland. InterTradeIreland is a powerful resource for business growth, helping SMEs through a strong mix of funding, innovation supports and meaningful contacts. www.intertradeireland.com

Media Contact:

Helen Morrogh

Comit Communications

[email protected]

085 781 4755

EU Funding Enables Ovagen to Tackle Global Vaccine Market

*THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WAS POSTED ON HORIZON EUROPE WEBSITE ON DECEMBER 6TH 2022*

TO LINK TO THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE PLEASE CLICK HERE

Vaccine manufacturing has never been more to the forefront of the news than in recent years. With everyone acutely aware of how vital vaccines are, Irish biotech firm Ovagen Group Ltd. has good news. With the support of €3.4m in European Research and shareholder matched funding, the company has succeeded in producing a world-first product that can significantly boost the global production of vaccines.

Fertilised chicken eggs play a central role in vaccine manufacture. In fact, vaccine  manufacturers use more than a billion eggs a year, with the market forecast to grow by more than 8 percent per year over the next four years.

Contamination is a major problem when it comes to using eggs, with vaccine companies typically losing millions of euro a year as a result. Contaminated batches result in delays to market for manufacturers who may miss peak epidemic or the entire vaccine season in the case of influenza.

Ovagen has developed the world’s first 100% bacteria-free eggs for use in the production of human and animal health vaccines, biotechnology applications and in cutting-edge scientific research.

“There’s a huge global opportunity for our product, which is superior to existing products on the market,” explains Ovagen co-founder and CEO Dr Catherine Caulfield. “Prior to Covid, more than one-billion eggs were required for vaccine manufacture and this figure is set to increase substantially. Ovagen’s superior-quality, germ-free eggs will set a new gold standard in the market and the biology of germ-free eggs may also allow much greater viral yield to produce certain vaccines.” 

Egg-based vaccines remain vitally important

While mRNA vaccines have become increasingly topical as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, egg-based vaccines continue to have a major role to play in the battle against Covid and other diseases, says Dr Caulfield.

“As the saying goes, no one is vaccinated until everyone is vaccinated. Egg-based vaccine manufacture is well established for almost 100 years and it is a much cheaper process than other methods. We do not plan to replace mRNA or cell-based vaccines, but to give the market a third and valuable option that is inexpensive, rapidly scalable and capable of producing multiple vaccines, including Coronavirus, from germ-free eggs while benefitting from reduced contamination and increased viral yield.”

She adds that the pandemic has markedly increased the need for eggs for use in vaccine manufacture. “One manufacturer in Latin America, for example, says it will need 50 million eggs a year going forward for the manufacture of Covid vaccines. Another global vaccine manufacturer we spoke with needed two million eggs a year and now it’s six million.”

EU funding enabling germ-free egg production

In 2019 Ovagen received European funding through the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument programme. This enabled the company to move from proof of concept to having a market-ready product for customer evaluation. Ovagen has recently been awarded European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator funding of €10 million between Grant and Equity, placing the company in the top 7% of European companies who applied in the funding round. This funding will allow the company demonstrate all the benefits of germ-free eggs, scale up production and commercialise the business to serve a global market.

Dr Caulfield explains it would have been very difficult to develop the product without the Horizon funding, as the project was early-stage and high-risk.

“It took about 10 years of R&D to get us to proof of concept and we were struggling to secure sufficient funding, beyond what we had put in ourselves, to take the product to the next phase of development. This project perhaps may have failed or would certainly have taken an awful lot longer if we hadn’t received the European funding. It was instrumental.”

Ovagen expects to increase its current workforce of 12 to 75 by 2026, by which time the company plans to produce 4 million germ-free eggs annually.

“They will be highly skilled jobs across sales, marketing, business development, IT, finance, engineering, HR and scientist roles in the West of Ireland. We developed our previous company from meagre beginnings to a very successful global business [Biolabs, bought in 2002 by Charles River Laboratories] and it’s lovely to be at the stage now in Ovagen where we are building this business to be global.”

Crucial need for strict project management

Companies that succeed in securing EU funding need to track all Project-associated expenditure, achieve the pre-determined milestones and deliverables and manage the Project competently within the allocated timelines, says Dr Caulfield. “The financial audit is a really thorough audit carried out by independent auditors at the end of the Project and you need strict policies and procedures in place to deal with that.”

“It is a good idea to get advice and training, if needed, at the beginning of your project on the best way to capture the information week by week for ease of reporting and audit. It would be very difficult to catch up if you don’t keep on track with capturing the data and tracking the work packages, deliverables and finances.”

This diligence must extend to risk management, data management, and regulatory and ethical compliance where appropriate, she adds.  

Avail of support to secure funding 

Support from Enterprise Ireland was a critical factor in guiding the management team through the process and successfully securing Horizon 2020 funding, says Dr Caulfield. Ovagen got advice from Enterprise Ireland on every aspect of its applications, including the written proposals and pitch presentations. The company also benefitted from the support of three mentors, during the Project phase, who advised on strategy, sales and marketing, and lean principles. 

“No matter how experienced you are, it’s not a simple process and it is very competitive. To get the pitch right, every word has to be impactful and you can be asked questions about any aspect by the selected jury. Enterprise Ireland sets up a mock pitch to put you through your paces beforehand by a panel of jurists. It’s absolutely invaluable and I’ve no doubt contributed in a big way to our success on both occasions.”

She adds that Ovagen also took the advice to appoint a specialist consultant in grant funding to help with its application. “While they assisted with the proposal application they were a particular help with posting our proposal on the European funding portal. It’s a complex enough system until you get familiar with it.” 

If you would like advice about accessing Horizon Europe support or further details, please contact [email protected] or visit www.horizoneurope.ie  

We are Hiring – Business Development Director

Who We Are – Ovagen Group Limited

We are an innovation based biotechnology company that has developed a proprietary process of producing the world’s first Germ Free eggs, for use in vaccine manufacture and other pharmaceutical and research applications.  Germ free eggs are the highest quality products available to produce medicines like vaccines, reducing contamination and the need for antimicrobials, as well as improving sustainability and environmental impacts.

We also specialise in avian transgenic technology and have a fully equipped transgenic laboratory.

As the first company in the world to produce commercial quantities of Germ Free eggs from  our state-of-the-art avian facility, we have recently been awarded €10M funding by the European Commission and plans are in place to build two additional Germ Free production facilities and a logistics building, to scale-up  production to four million Germ Free eggs annually.

At Ovagen, we pride ourselves on scientific excellence, and we are passionate about the impact of our disruptive technology in transforming the way vaccines are produced to give security of supply and improve global immunisation coverage.

About the position

Our commercialisation plans are now being accelerated. Additionally, a series of studies over the next year are likely to show additional key advantages of Germ Free eggs, increasing product demand.

This position of Business Development Director is a new appointment and the successful candidate will report directly to the Company CEO.   

Key responsibilities include;

  • Development of sales and marketing strategy, along with associated implementation plans.
  • Relationship management with existing and potential customers.
  • Market research, analysis and segmentation – for GF sales strategy development.
  • Budget and sales target management.
  • Negotiation and development of long term commercial agreements with customers.
  • Building, developing and managing a strong Business Development team.
  • Identifying and developing new business opportunities for the Company.

The successful candidate will;

  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Have experience in B2B sales within a highly regulated international life sciences sector, and be comfortable with scientific and technical content.
  • Be able to build and maintain strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Have excellent financial and negotiation skills.
  • Be highly attuned to customer discovery and market analysis, identification of unmet needs and direction of marketing plans.
  • Be educated to Degree level in a business or science related field or similar technical discipline.
  • Have 5+ Years of senior sales and business development experience in the international life sciences industry, with a proven track record of success.
  • Have good knowledge of the vaccine manufacturing industry technologies, players and processes.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communications and presentation skills.
  • Proven relationship building and management experience, including effective stakeholder management expertise.

Whilst experience in the international vaccine industry is not a requirement, it would be a significant advantage.

What we Offer

This is a senior commercial role, and as such, the successful candidate will enjoy a generous package befitting this. 

Whilst our Company Headquarters are in Ballina, County Mayo – we will consider hybrid and international working arrangements.
This is an opportunity to join Ovagen Group at an exciting time when we are poised for dynamic growth.

If you are interested in applying to the role, please send your CV and covering letter to [email protected]

We are Hiring – Microbiology Lead

Who We Are – Ovagen Group Limited

We are an innovation based biotechnology company that has developed a proprietary process of producing the world’s first Germ Free eggs, for use in vaccine manufacture and other pharmaceutical and research applications. Germ free eggs are the highest quality products available to produce medicines like vaccines, reducing contamination and the need for antimicrobials, as well as improving sustainability and environmental impacts.  We also specialise in avian transgenic technology and we have a fully equipped transgenic laboratory.

As the first company in the world to produce commercial quantities of Germ Free eggs, from  our state-of-the-art avian facility, we have recently been awarded €10M funding by the European Commission and plans are in place to build two additional Germ Free production facilities and a logistics building, with which we will scale production to four million Germ Free eggs annually.

At Ovagen, we pride ourselves on scientific excellence, and we are passionate about the impact of our disruptive technology in transforming the way vaccines are produced to give security of supply and improve global immunisation coverage.

About The Position

Ovagen’s commercialization plans are now being accelerated leading to the expansion of our Operations team. Additionally, a series of studies over the next year are likely to show additional key advantages of Germ Free eggs, greatly increasing product demand.

The primary function of this position is to provide day-to-day leadership and guidance to the Production teams. Liaise with the Operations manager on company goals / targets while managing the daily activities of the Production teams,

This position of Microbiology Labaratory Lead is a key appointment and the successful candidate will report directly to our Operations Manager in our HQ in Ballina, County Mayo.

Key Responsibilities Include;

  • Support the scale up of Ovagen’s production operation in delivering on our ambitious plans to service the global vaccine, oncology & therapeutic industries by the efficient processing and accurate reading/reporting of Microbiological samples
  • Ensure Regulatory & Quality compliance is applied to SOP writing/updating and the periodic reviews of same.
  • Be familiar with relevant regulations provided by the European (EP) & American (USP) Pharmacopeia.
  • Ensure all documented procedures are being followed & all logbooks/documentation is completed in real – time and is right first time (RFT).
  • Building, leading & developing a strong Microbiology Lab team with assistance/mentoring from the Ovagen Management team.
  • Perform EM, water, Microbial limit testing, Bioburden testing and sterility testing using laboratory techniques / cGLP. quality control, and utilizing laboratory skills.
  • Be involved in any/all investigations arising from positive results, non-conformances and/or human error deviations.
  • Review & interpret all routine & requested Microbiology results.
  • Record/tabulate Laboratory results and present at management meetings
  • Quality Control (QC) checks, preparation & revision of SOP’s, qualification/validation of test methods
  • Lead continuous improvement projects for the current Laboratory processes
  • Conduct routine Preventative maintenance on all Laboratory equipment and scheduling of routine servicing of the Laboratory equipment and to ensure that the Laboratory is stocked with all the materials & consumables that are necessary
  • Supervise/maintain the flock sampling schedule and compile/review results.
  • Ensure all gowning & PPE is being worn correctly in relevant areas.

Additional Responsibilites;

  • Manage and co-ordinate Laboratory team members daily/weekly tasks while evaluating areas of individuals strengths & weakness & to mitigate these.
  • Have strong leadership skills, including team building, relationship building and effective stakeholder management.
  • Have excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
  • Have solid planning capability.
  • Identify and implement cost saving opportunities.
  • Responsible for the preparation and revision of Laboratory SOPs
  • Identify opportunities to improve processes.
  • Ensure full compliance with all Quality, Regulatory, HR, HSE requirements.
  • Provide support to the rest of the Company’s Senior Management team as required.
  • Have high energy and resilience level, team building skills and an ability to anticipate and address potential issues
  • Any other duties/responsibilities that may be assigned (to him/her) by the Operations Manager or Senior Project Director.

Requirments;

Microbiology Lead

Education:        

  • Level 8 Degree in relevant Microbiolgy discipline, Masters/PhD in a Micro discipline would be a distinct advantage

Experience:      

  • 3 – 5 years in regulated GLP environment
  • Previous experience in vaccine manufacturing industry would be a benefit
  • Exposure in dealing directly with suppliers & customers would also be an advantage
  • Exposure to people management is beneficial but not essential
  • Background/exposure to aseptic techniques & isolators is beneficial
  • IT proficiency: MS Office experience is essential

What we Offer

This is a senior commercial and operational role, and the successful candidate will enjoy a generous package befitting of this.  This is an opportunity to join a positive and dynamic team at Ovagen Group, at an exciting time when we are poised and ready for growth.

If you are interested in applying to the role, please send your CV and covering letter to [email protected]

Ovagen Group Limited secures €10 million funding award from EIC Accelerator fund.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  • Second time in 3 years Ballina-based company has received EIC Accelerator funding
  • Follows the announcement of developing the world’s first bacteria free (‘germfree’) eggs in April.
  • Positions Ovagen as a potential world-leader in the production of germ-free eggs,

22nd June 2022, Ballina, Mayo, Ireland – Biotechnology company Ovagen Group Limited has again been awarded European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator funding, thanks to a €10 million funding award from the European Commission supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB), putting Ovagen in the top 7% of European companies who applied in this funding round.

The firm, which has its headquarters in Ballina in the west of Ireland, has been awarded a €2.5 million grant from the Horizon EIC Accelerator Programme, and a €7.5 million equity investment supported by the European Investment Bank. 

This latest grant from the EIC follows a €2.36M EIC grant which Ovagen was awarded in 2019.

“To receive funding at this significant level is a major endorsement of the value of Ovagen’s germ free eggs to the vaccine and biopharmaceutical industry, and of our strong track record of delivery on the previous EIC Grant,” Ovagen CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Catherine Caulfield, said. “Germ free eggs have been developed and are on the market, and this funding will allow us to demonstrate all their benefits and to scale-up and commercialise the business.”

Ovagen has developed the world’s first, bacteria free (‘germ free’), eggs.  Germ free eggs will be used in the production of human and animal vaccines, biotechnology applications and in cutting edge scientific research. Ovagen’s superior quality germ free eggs will set a new gold standard in the market and the biology of germ free eggs may also allow much greater viral yield to produce certain vaccines.

 “The EU funding is a game changer for Ovagen,” Ovagen Chairman, Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder Dr. Leonard Moran said. “It has arrived at exactly the right time to allow us to scale up rapidly to meet customer demand with commercial production volumes.”

“This validates the 10 year’s research and development it has taken to get to this point,” Ovagen Senior Project Director Dr. Martin Murphy said. “but we now have the opportunity to impact millions of patient’s lives by supporting the production of better medicines”

ENDS

About Ovagen Group Limited. Ballina, Mayo, Ireland.

Ovagen Group Limited is an innovation-based biotechnology company, led by experienced entrepreneurs, providing specialist contract products and services to the biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical and vaccine industries. The company has developed a proprietary process of producing Germ Free chicken eggs and Germ Free birds in commercial quantities for use primarily in the pharmaceutical industry.

For more information, please contact:

Peg Connor (Administrative Office Manager):