VetBioNet · Project

Europe's BSL3 Network for Fighting Animal Diseases Before They Reach Humans

healthTestedTRL 5Thin data (2/5)

Imagine the most dangerous animal diseases — bird flu, African swine fever, coronaviruses that jump from animals to people. To study these safely, you need special high-security labs (think hazmat suits and airlocks). VetBioNet connected 28 of these labs across 12 countries into one coordinated network, so when the next outbreak hits, European researchers can share resources, tools, and know-how instead of starting from scratch. Along the way, they built new monitoring sensors for sick animals, better genetic testing methods for livestock, and smarter ways to decontaminate infected samples — all aimed at catching outbreaks faster and developing treatments sooner.

By the numbers

research partners in the network

countries represented

industry partners in the consortium

SMEs involved

total deliverables produced

demo deliverables including prototypes and validated methods

The business problem

What needed solving

Dangerous animal diseases like avian influenza and coronaviruses can devastate livestock industries and jump to humans, but testing and developing countermeasures requires expensive BSL3 high-containment facilities that most companies cannot build or access on their own. Without standardized methods and coordinated resources, outbreak response is slow and fragmented across national borders.

The solution

What was built

The project built a coordinated network of BSL3 facilities across 12 countries with transnational access. Concrete outputs include prototype telemetry sensors and behavioural analysis software for monitoring infected animals, validated molecular tags for studying dangerous viruses, high-throughput MHC genotyping methods for sheep and cattle, NGS-based immune profiling tools, nanoparticle-based imaging for tracking inflammatory cells, and effective decontamination methods for handling class 3 virus samples outside containment.

Audience

Who needs this

Veterinary diagnostics companies developing rapid livestock disease testsAgTech firms building animal health monitoring and early warning systemsAnimal vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturers needing BSL3 testing accessLarge livestock operations seeking better disease surveillance toolsGovernment veterinary agencies responsible for outbreak preparedness

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Veterinary diagnostics

mid-size

Target: Animal health diagnostics companies developing rapid disease detection kits

If you are a veterinary diagnostics company struggling to test livestock for dangerous pathogens quickly — this project developed high-throughput MHC genotyping methods for sheep and cattle and NGS-based tools to analyze immune responses. These validated tools, tested across a network of 28 partner labs in 12 countries, could accelerate your diagnostic kit development by providing standardized reference methods and access to BSL3-grade sample collections.

Livestock farming technology

SME

Target: AgTech companies building animal health monitoring systems

If you are an AgTech company that needs better real-time health monitoring for farm animals — this project built prototype telemetry sensors and behavioural analysis software, validated through integrated telemetry and behavioural monitoring in high-containment facilities. These tools detect early signs of infection through changes in animal behaviour and vital signs, enabling earlier intervention before disease spreads across a herd.

Pharmaceutical and vaccine development

enterprise

Target: Animal health pharmaceutical companies developing vaccines against zoonotic diseases

If you are a pharma company developing vaccines for zoonotic or epizootic diseases and need access to high-containment testing facilities — this network of BSL3 infrastructures across 12 countries offers transnational access to animal experimental facilities, technological platforms, and curated sample collections. With 7 industry partners already in the consortium, the network was specifically designed for industry collaboration on emerging disease preparedness.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to access VetBioNet's BSL3 facilities and tools?

The project offered Transnational Access (TNA) to BSL3 facilities during its funded period (2017-2023). Access was typically free for eligible researchers during the EU-funded phase. Post-project, access terms depend on the sustainability plan each facility implements — contact the coordinator for current pricing.

Can these tools and methods work at industrial scale?

The tools were validated across a network of 28 partners in 12 countries, which demonstrates cross-border reproducibility. High-throughput genotyping methods for sheep and cattle and NGS-based immune profiling tools are designed for volume processing. The prototype telemetry sensors would need commercial manufacturing partnerships to reach farm-scale deployment.

What is the IP situation — can we license these technologies?

As a Research and Innovation Action with 7 industry partners and 4 SMEs in the consortium, IP arrangements were defined in the consortium agreement. Technologies like the prototype telemetry sensors, molecular tags, and decontamination methods may be available for licensing. Contact the coordinator at INRAE (France) for specific IP terms.

How does this help with regulatory compliance for animal disease testing?

VetBioNet harmonized best practices and promoted global standards across European BSL3 facilities. This standardization work means diagnostic methods validated through the network carry more regulatory weight. The project also addressed ethical standards and social impact, which supports regulatory approval processes.

Is the network still active after the project ended in 2023?

The project explicitly developed and implemented a sustainability plan for the network to continue beyond its funded period. Based on available project data, the network infrastructure and partnerships were designed to persist. Check the project website at vetbionet.eu for current status.

Can our existing lab systems integrate with VetBioNet's tools?

The project developed standardized protocols and harmonized best practices specifically to enable interoperability across 28 different facilities. The NGS-based tools, genotyping methods, and telemetry systems were designed to work across different lab setups. Integration feasibility depends on your specific infrastructure — the 70 deliverables include detailed technical specifications.

Consortium

Who built it

VetBioNet assembled a strong consortium of 28 partners across 12 countries, with a healthy 25% industry ratio (7 industry partners including 4 SMEs). The core is anchored by 10 research organizations and 5 universities, coordinated by INRAE — France's national agricultural research institute. The geographic spread from Kenya to Denmark reflects the global nature of animal disease threats. For a business looking to partner, the presence of existing industry members signals that the network understands commercial needs, while the 10 research organizations provide deep scientific capability across multiple disease areas including coronaviruses, influenza, and zoonotic pathogens.

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L'AGRICULTURE, L'ALIMENTATION ET L'ENVIRONNEMENTCoordinator · FR
AARHUS UNIVERSITETparticipant · DK
International Livestock Research Instituteparticipant · KE
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRSparticipant · UK
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLINparticipant · IE
FRIEDRICH LOEFFLER INSTITUT - BUNDESFORSCHUNGSINSTITUT FUER TIERGESUNDHEITparticipant · DE
NOLDUS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BVparticipant · NL
FEDERAZIONE EUROPEA DI ZOOTECNICAparticipant · IT
ISTITUTO ZOOPROFILATTICO SPERIMENTALE DELLE VENEZIEparticipant · IT
INRAE TRANSFERT SASparticipant · FR
MARINE SCOTLANDparticipant · UK
AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICASparticipant · ES
PANSTWOWY INSTYTUT WETERYNARYJNY - PANSTWOWY INSTYTUT BADAWCZYparticipant · PL
GOLD STANDARD DIAGNOSTICS MADRIDparticipant · ES
INSTITUT DE RECERCA I TECNOLOGIA AGROALIMENTARIESparticipant · ES
LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBHparticipant · DE
THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAMparticipant · UK
EIDGENOESSISCHES DEPARTEMENT DES INNERNparticipant · CH
COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATIONparticipant · AU
MOREDUN RESEARCH INSTITUTEparticipant · UK
THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE LBGparticipant · UK
ERASMUS UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM ROTTERDAMparticipant · NL
AGENCE NATIONALE DE LA SECURITE SANITAIRE DE L ALIMENTATION DE L ENVIRONNEMENT ET DU TRAVAILparticipant · FR
THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGHparticipant · UK
STICHTING WAGENINGEN RESEARCHparticipant · NL

How to reach the team

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L'AGRICULTURE, L'ALIMENTATION ET L'ENVIRONNEMENT (INRAE), France — search for the VetBioNet project coordinator on the INRAE website or ResearchGate

Order a report on this consortium See INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L'AGRICULTURE, L'ALIMENTATION ET L'ENVIRONNEMENT profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the VetBioNet network for accessing BSL3 facilities, licensing their diagnostic tools, or exploring telemetry sensor commercialization? SciTransfer can connect you with the right partner in the consortium.

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