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IAVT Department Researchers Honored with Award for Innovative Swine Coronavirus Vaccine Development at 2024 Taiwan Innovation Technology Expo held in Taipei

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Professors and researchers from the IAVT department have been recognized for our innovative work in vaccine development at the 2024 Taiwan Innovation Technology Expo, held at the Future Science and Technology Museum. Our project, titled “Development of New Generation Vaccines against Swine Corona Virus,” aims to address significant challenges posed by coronaviruses affecting swine, which have led to substantial economic losses in the agriculture sector.

IAVT Department Researchers Honored with Award for Innovative Swine Coronavirus Vaccine Development at 2024 Taiwan Innovation Technology Expo held in Taipei.

Award Recognition
The award highlights the team’s commitment to advancing veterinary medicine through cutting-edge research. We focus on developing effective vaccines against swine coronaviruses is crucial, as these viruses can cause severe diseases in pigs, leading to high mortality rates and significant financial impacts on farmers. The research emphasizes creating next-generation vaccines that are not only effective but also safe for animal populations.
Research Significance
Swine coronaviruses, particularly the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), have resulted in billions of dollars in losses globally. Existing vaccines have shown limitations in efficacy, prompting the need for new solutions. The IAVT team’s research explores advanced vaccine platforms, potentially utilizing nanoparticle technology to enhance immune responses against these viruses.

IAVT Department Researchers Honored with Award for Innovative Swine Coronavirus Vaccine Development at 2024 Taiwan Innovation Technology Expo held in Taipei. 1

Future Implications
The implications of this research extend beyond swine health; insights gained could also inform vaccine development for human coronaviruses. As the global community continues to grapple with the impact of COVID-19, understanding and combating animal coronaviruses could provide valuable lessons in vaccine design and implementation.

IAVT Department Researchers Honored with Award for Innovative Swine Coronavirus Vaccine Development at 2024 Taiwan Innovation Technology Expo held in Taipei. 2

From April 28 to May 2, 2025, the International Degree Program in Animal Vaccine Technology (IAVT) successfully held a specialized lecture series titled “Advanced Avian Vaccine Development”, featuring guest speakers Dr. Oishi Eiji, Representative Director, and Dr. Chia-Chi Liu from Vaxxinova Japan K.K.

The five-day event provided IAVT students with valuable insights into the principles and practices of veterinary vaccine development, with a particular focus on avian species. The lectures began with an overview of avian diseases and the structure of the global poultry industry, highlighting the importance of vaccine innovation in disease prevention and food security. The speakers then delved into various vaccine types, including live attenuated and vector vaccines, explaining their mechanisms, advantages in inducing strong immune responses, and strategic use in preventing major poultry diseases. They further explored the characteristics and practical applications of killed and subunit vaccines, which offer high safety profiles and targeted immunity but require careful formulation and adjuvant support to achieve full efficacy. Emphasis was also placed on key formulation components such as adjuvants, stabilizers, and other excipients, which play a critical role in enhancing immune response, ensuring vaccine stability, and extending shelf life. The discussion extended into the industrial perspective, outlining the process of veterinary vaccine development in the pharmaceutical sector—from early-stage research and antigen design, through preclinical evaluation and regulatory approval, to large-scale production and distribution. Throughout the sessions, students gained a comprehensive view of the technical, scientific, and commercial considerations involved in bringing effective animal vaccines to market. The lecture series concluded with student presentations and an engaging discussion session, providing a platform for participants to apply their knowledge and exchange ideas directly with the visiting experts.