Irish Biotech Ovagen delivers breakthrough in vaccine manufacturing efficiency with germ free egg technology

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

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.

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Media Contact

Peg Connor (Administrative Office Manager)
Tel: + 353 (0)96 75579
Email: peg.connor@ovagen.com
Web: www.ovagen.ie