The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, announced that the Scottish Government will provide match-funding of up to £100,000 to support the development of a new vaccine against Louping Ill — a serious tick-borne viral disease affecting sheep. The announcement was made during the Moredun Foundation reception at the Royal Highland Show.
Currently, no licensed vaccine is available for Louping Ill, and in naïve flocks, the disease can cause devastating losses. Moredun is crowdfunding to support the commercialisation of its newly developed vaccine, with the first phase requiring £720,000. The Scottish Government’s match funding offer, available until the end of December 2025, presents a unique chance to amplify industry support. Moredun is encouraging farmers and stakeholders to make the most of this opportunity and help bring this vital vaccine to market.
Long-Term Backing Helps Turn Science into On-Farm Solutions
Moredun scientists have developed a new-generation vaccine to protect sheep against Louping Ill Virus (LIV). Although LIV can infect a range of species — including cattle, horses, dogs, and even humans — it is particularly devastating to sheep and red grouse. Since the withdrawal of the previous vaccine in 2017, and with tick populations increasing and spreading, cases of Louping Ill have risen and expanded into new areas. The disease poses a major challenge for the sheep industry.
Moredun has a long-standing history of working to control Louping Ill, having developed the first vaccine for the disease in the 1930s and a second version in the 1970s. Building on this legacy, the new vaccine has shown high levels of protection in experimental trials. Moredun is working with its industry partner, Kernfarm, to bring the vaccine to market.
Professor Tom McNeilly, Scientific Director and CEO of Moredun, said, “We are extremely grateful to the Scottish Government for their sustained investment in this vaccine, from the early stages of vaccine development right through to this latest support for commercialisation. This pledge takes us a significant step closer to making a new Louping Ill vaccine widely available to farmers. But to unlock that funding and deliver this product, we need the support of the wider livestock industry. With continued support from the wider industry and farming community, we’re confident we can reach our goal and bring this vital product to market.”
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon said: “The Scottish Government welcomes the development of this vaccine against Louping ill by the Moredun Research Institute. Continued investment in veterinary vaccine research is crucial for sustainable livestock farming, reducing antibiotic use, and supporting rural economies. This investment offer of up to £100,000 in match funding will help Moredun develop a new vaccine against Louping ill, a disease that those working in the agriculture sector will know can devastate flocks.”
Due to the limited size of the UK market for a Louping Ill vaccine, the usual route to commercialisation via large pharmaceutical companies was not feasible. Instead, Moredun has adopted a novel, industry-supported route involving three sequential phases. The first phase will involve transferring the vaccine to a commercial manufacturer and scaling up production.
Donating
More information about the project and each stage of commercialisation is available at: https://moredun.org.uk/donate-louping-ill
If you are able, please consider making this vaccine a reality and donate to the first phase of the commercialisation process, which involves moving the vaccine production to a commercial manufacturer and scaling up production.
For further information and images, please contact Beth Wells: beth.wells@moredun.ac.uk