IVVN Organised an ECR Industry Event to Support Early Career Researchers in Veterinary Vaccine Development
IVVN Organised an ECR Industry Event to Support Early Career Researchers in Veterinary Vaccine Development
The International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN) in partnership with The Pirbright Institute hosted an Early Career Researcher (ECR) Industry Event on the 3 – 5 February 2026 at The Pirbright Institute. The event brought together ECRs from both the IVVN and Pirbright Institute, and experts from across sectors for three days of discussion and professional development in veterinary vaccinology. The event aimed to equip early career researchers with the knowledge and industry insight needed to help them to navigate the transition of their research into translational development, while strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and regulators.
Insights from Cross-Sector Experts
Invited industrial speakers, Dr Michael Francis (Biovacc Consulting Ltd), Dr Baptiste Dungu (Onderstepoort Biological Products), and Dr Jeremy Salt (The Vaccine Group), alongside academic speakers, Dr Jai Mehat (University of Surrey) and Dr Yao Yangxiu (The Pirbright Institute) shared first-hand experience in vaccine development across sectors. Their talks emphasised personal narratives, lessons learned, and reflections on navigating their career pathways within both academia and industry. Regulatory perspectives were further explored by Ms. Anita Puranik (Veterinary Medicines Directorate), who contributed valuable expertise into the United Kingdom’s veterinary vaccine regulatory pathways.
Understanding the Path to Market
Argenta played a central role in the regulatory and commercial sessions of the event. Dr Klaus Hellmann, and Ms. Brigitte Othmar-Vielitz, led comprehensive sessions covering product development from bench to market by outlining key steps, timelines, quality management standards (GxPs), and benefit–risk considerations.
Their sessions also examined Target Product Profiles (TPPs), regulatory terminology, and legal requirements for vaccine development in Europe (EU) and UK, as well as the structure of EU competent authorities and batch release processes. Additional regulatory perspectives were delivered by Ms. Heather Sedlacek, who focused on veterinary vaccine legal frameworks and submission pathways in the United States.
Learning Beyond the Presentations
Apart from the formal presentations, the workshop and smaller discussion sessions were enriched by the presence of distinguished experts such as Professors Brian Perry, Vish Nene, Christine Maritz-Olivier, and Simon Graham, who offered guidance and practical insight drawn from their professional experience.
A major highlight of the event was the guided tours of the Centre for Veterinary Vaccine Innovation and Manufacturing (CVIM) and Plowright Building at The Pirbright Institute. The visit provided the ECRs with valuable behind-the-scenes insight into high-containment research facilities and vaccine development infrastructure.
Looking Ahead
The workshop formed part of the activities the IVVN organises to both support ECRs and to address critical gaps in communication between the different sectors working in the veterinary vaccine development landscape. Over the three days, the event fostered strong networking opportunities and encouraged knowledge exchange between ECRs and experts from academia, industry and regulation. ECRs said the event provided them with greater confidence in engaging with industry and a clearer understanding of the practical steps required to translate their research into commercialisation, with many reflecting that they would now approach future projects more strategically.