ECO Animal Health Group plc announced on Wednesday that the United States Department of Agriculture has delivered a favourable safety assessment for its live poultry vaccine ECOVAXXIN MG, marking a key step toward marketing authorisation in the US.

The regulatory review confirmed that the vaccine meets the USDA's safety requirements. Final regulatory submission for ECOVAXXIN MG is currently anticipated in late 2027.

As part of the US registration process, the vaccine was demonstrated to be safe for its target species, chickens, as well as non-target avian species including turkeys and quails. Testing also confirmed the vaccine strain did not revert or increase in virulence after passage through chickens, demonstrating stability.

ECOVAXXIN MG targets Mycoplasma gallisepticum, a bacterial pathogen that causes chronic respiratory disease in chickens and infectious sinusitis in turkeys. The vaccine uses a naturally attenuated strain of the bacterium shown to be safe for young chicks.

ECO Animal Health develops and markets branded veterinary pharmaceuticals globally, specialising in antibiotics and vaccines for pigs and poultry. The company, headquartered in the UK, holds marketing authorisations in more than 70 countries and employs over 200 people worldwide. Its lead product, Aivlosin, is a patented medication used to treat respiratory and intestinal diseases in pigs and poultry.