Category Archives: Announcements

Study demonstrates 7,000+ doses of yellow fever virus 17D per egg in industry breakthrough

23^rd July 2025 Mayo, Ireland: Ovagen Group Limited,an innovation-led Irish biotech, has today announced groundbreaking results from a Yellow Fever virus yield study that could transform the economics of global vaccine manufacturing.

Conducted at The Pirbright Institute (UK), a world-renowned centre tackling viral diseases of livestock, the comparative study showed that Ovagen’s Germ Free embryonated chicken eggs delivered up to 7,600 doses of yellow fever virus 17D per egg.

This yield advantage significantly lowers the cost per dose and drastically improves production efficiency with major cost saving implications combining scalability with the elimination of the use of antibiotics.

Speaking about the results of the study, Dr. Catherine Caulfield, CEO of Ovagen said:

“What we have developed isn’t incremental, it’s a complete rethink of the vaccine manufacturing process. Our germ free egg platform eliminates bacterial contamination and reduces the need for antibiotics in vaccine production, while delivering significantly higher viral yield. This is high-impact science with high-value commercial outcomes.”

The results of the Pirbright Institute study using Ovagen’s technology demonstrated that:

• Ovagen Germ Free eggs resulted in 7,606 doses of Yellow Fever vaccine per egg VERSUS 6 doses & 422 doses per SPF egg, respectively, from two leading SPF egg suppliers
• Up to a 5-fold lower interferon beta response, boosting viral replication.

The technology offers immediate scalability and significant margins for manufacturers, all while reducing waste and environmental impact. For public health systems and vaccine developers alike, it enables faster response times, lower costs, and increased resilience in the face of a public health crisis.

Investor Opportunity

Ovagen’s IP-protected platform is commercially ready, with eggs already available. The company is currently engaging with strategic partners, global pharmaceutical manufacturers, and new investors to accelerate market penetration.

Backed by Enterprise Ireland, Ovagen represents a standout opportunity in Europe’s deep tech and biotech sectors. With growing global demand for scalable, clean, and efficient vaccine platforms, the company is now positioned for rapid international growth.

Tom Cusack, Head of Industrial & Life Sciences at Enterprise Ireland, said: “Enterprise Ireland is proud to support Ovagen as they continue to scale their innovation and ambition. Their germ-free egg technology shows real potential to drive greater efficiency in vaccine manufacturing, and it’s encouraging to see this level of innovation emerging from the West of Ireland. Ovagen’s progress highlights the strength of Ireland’s biotech sector and the impact that Irish companies can have on global health challenges.”

Ovagen was founded with the ambitious goal of developing the world’s first commercially viable germ-free egg production system for use in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Having secured over €21 million in funding through a mix of private investment, promoter funds, VC, Enterprise Ireland and EIC Accelerator backing, the company has developed a state-of-the-art facility, secured global patent protection, sales traction and validated significantly higher viral yields compared to industry-standard SPF eggs. 

Wayne Collins, VP of Business Development at Ovagen added:
“This is the kind of cutting edge innovation that’s built for global scale. Our commercial conversations have already begun with major pharma and vaccine manufacturers, and we’re open to conversations with strategic investors who see the scale of what’s possible here.”

About Ovagen Group Limited

Ovagen is a biotechnology company based in Ireland that has developed the world’s first scalable platform for producing germ-free embryonated eggs for vaccine and biologics manufacturing. Its patented technology eliminates contamination risks inherent in traditional egg-based systems and has demonstrated significantly higher viral yields compared to SPF eggs offering a safer, more efficient solution for global bioproduction. Supported by over €21 million in funding from private investors, promoter funds, VC, Enterprise Ireland and the European Innovation Council, Ovagen operates from a purpose-built state-of-the-art facility and has successfully completed trials with major vaccine manufacturers.

The company is led by co-founder and CEO Dr. Catherine Caulfield, a seasoned biotech executive and former CEO of Biological Laboratories Ireland, where she scaled the business to eightfold revenue growth. Under her leadership, Ovagen has progressed from concept to commercial validation and is now positioned to become a key supplier and strategic partner in the global vaccine supply chain.

About Dr. Catherine Caulfield

Dr. Catherine Caulfield is the CEO and co-founder of Ovagen, a biotech company pioneering germ-free egg technology. A seasoned life sciences executive, she previously served as CEO of Biological Laboratories (later Charles River Laboratories Ireland), where she led the company through 14 years of growth, driving an 800% increase in revenue and a successful exit in 2002 giving 68X return to investors. Dr. Caulfield brings deep expertise in commercialisation, quality systems, and strategic leadership, backed by decades of board-level experience across Ireland’s national science, accreditation, and enterprise bodies. She holds a PhD in Pharmacology and is a recipient of NUI Galway’s Alumni Award for Natural Science, recognising her outstanding contribution to the biotech and scientific community.

ENDS

Media Contact:

Peg Connor (Administrative Office Manager):

Tel: + 353 (0)96 75579

Email: peg.connor@ovagen.com

Web: www.ovagen.ie

We are delighted to announce the publication of the collaboration between Ovagen Group Limited and The Pirbright Institute on the execution of the first viral yield study using Germ-Free Eggs. The results of the study showed an increased yield of H1N1 when inoculated into Germ-Free eggs compared with eggs from Specific Pathogen Free hens.

Read the full article: https://openmicrobiologyjournal.com/VOLUME/18/ELOCATOR/e18742858343360/

The Western Development Commission has led a €2 million Series A equity investment round in Ovagen Group Limited, a biotechnology company based in Ballina, Co Mayo.

The funding is aimed at accelerating the production of Ovagen’s germ-free eggs.

Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/dxs86DUa

Enterprise Ireland HBAN Boole Investments DeepIE Ventures Spark Crowdfunding

Photo credit: Michael Mc Laughlin

• 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, 3^rd February, 2023 – HBAN (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):

• Tel: + 353 (0)96 75579
• Email: info@ovagen.com
• Web: www.ovagen.ie

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

helen@comit.ie

085 781 4755