BioVaxys Technology Corp. and Adiverna LLC announced a research agreement to develop mRNA-based vaccines for rabies, leptospirosis, feline infectious peritonitis, and other diseases in dogs and cats. This collaboration combines BioVaxys' DPX™ Immune Educating Platform with Adiverna's AI-designed mRNA sequences, targeting a market where no mRNA vaccines are currently approved for companion animals.
The partnership's importance lies in addressing limitations of traditional veterinary vaccines. Current rabies vaccines typically require annual or triennial boosters, while leptospirosis vaccines face challenges with short durability and adverse reactions. Adiverna's AI platform analyzes extensive datasets to design mRNA sequences coding for protective antigens, offering dose-sparing potential that could reduce vaccine amounts while maintaining robust immune responses.
BioVaxys' DPX platform represents a significant innovation, using a non-systemic mechanism that forces active uptake of antigens by immune cells rather than releasing them at the injection site. This approach mimics natural immune system function and sustains T cell activation longer than traditional vaccines. Proof-of-concept studies show DPX formulations enhance mRNA stability and induce specific immune responses toward encoded antigens.
The market potential is substantial. The global rabies veterinary vaccines market is projected to reach approximately US$1.1 billion by 2030, while the broader dog vaccine market was valued at approximately $2.10 billion in 2025. The feline vaccines sector is projected to reach USD 3.28 billion by 2034. These markets are driven by mandatory pet vaccinations, increasing disease awareness, and rising pet ownership, particularly in North America and rapidly growing Asia/Pacific regions.
Kenneth Kovan, President and Chief Operating Officer of BioVaxys, emphasized that DPX-formulated mRNA vaccines would offer advantages over traditional vaccines, including superior longevity, fewer doses, faster manufacturing, and reduced risks from injecting foreign viruses. The collaboration could lead to the world's first mRNA veterinary vaccine, with implications extending to human therapeutic applications.
Kirill Kalnin, PhD, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Adiverna, stated the collaboration could revolutionize routine annual vaccinations for pets, enhancing safety and effectiveness while reducing financial burdens on pet owners. The partnership lays groundwork for RNA-based immunotherapeutics that could improve quality of life and extend lifespans for companion animals.
The veterinary vaccine market faces challenges with current technologies, including the short half-life of lipid nanoparticles and systemic inflammatory responses from emulsion-based formulations. The DPX platform's "no release" mechanism addresses these issues by allowing active uptake of various antigens into immune cells and lymph nodes. This technology has demonstrated clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability in both human and animal health applications.
Emerging preclinical studies show mRNA vaccines' efficacy in producing protective immune responses in target animals, though none are yet approved for commercial use in companion animals. The collaboration between BioVaxys and Adiverna represents a significant step toward changing this landscape, potentially transforming how pets are vaccinated against common and dangerous diseases.
