Frontier IP Group plc (AIM: FIPP) announced on Monday that its portfolio company The Vaccine Group has achieved outstanding results in cattle challenge trials for two vaccine candidates targeting bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), conducted by the UK government's Animal and Plant Health Agency.

BRSV is a major cause of bovine respiratory disease, costing UK farmers an estimated GBP54m annually and up to GBP5.6bn globally. Frontier IP holds a 16.6% equity stake in The Vaccine Group, a University of Plymouth spin-out.

The trials mark a key milestone validating the company's bovine herpesvirus vaccine platform. Vaccinated calves showed complete protection, displaying no clinical signs of infection, no detectable virus shedding, and minimal lung damage compared to unvaccinated controls.

Unlike existing commercial vaccines based on dead or modified viruses, The Vaccine Group's platform can be safely administered to very young animals even in the presence of maternal antibodies, overcoming a key limitation of current treatments. This allows earlier immunisation and eliminates the infection risk window seen with conventional vaccines.

Following the successful trials, The Vaccine Group plans to seek strategic partners to advance development and commercialisation of the BRSV vaccines.

Frontier IP specialises in commercialising university-developed intellectual property by providing funding, strategic support, and industry collaboration to accelerate growth in its portfolio companies.