APHA Concludes Six-Year Cattle TB Vaccine Trial

The UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has completed the on-farm phase of a six-year trial for a potential bovine TB (bTB) vaccine and companion diagnostic test, involving 736 cattle across 11 farms in low-incidence areas of England and Wales. Announced on 21 July 2026, the phase-three fieldwork brings a BCG-based cattle vaccine and DIVA skin test one step closer to Great Britain marketing authorisation.

Cattle in the trial were vaccinated with BCG and then followed up with the companion DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) skin test, which is designed to distinguish cattle infected with bovine TB from animals that react to standard testing because they have received the BCG vaccine. That distinction is critical because BCG interferes with the tuberculin-based skin and blood tests currently used for routine bTB surveillance in Great Britain and by international trading partners, meaning any deployable cattle vaccine must be paired with a validated companion diagnostic. Researchers will now analyse the phase-three data, including the DIVA test’s specificity and its false-positive rate.

If the findings are satisfactory, applications will be made for Great Britain marketing authorisations for the vaccine and DIVA test, and recognition of the DIVA test reagent will be sought from the World Organisation for Animal Health. The Government has set a target of a deployable vaccine and DIVA test by 2030, with England targeting bTB-free status by 2038 and Wales working towards 2041. NFU deputy president Paul Tompkins welcomed the milestone but called for greater urgency in bringing the vaccine through remaining stages.

The commercial signal is a UK animal health market on the cusp of a significant structural shift. Bovine TB currently costs the UK cattle sector well over £100m annually in testing, culls and trade disruption. A validated vaccine plus DIVA test would open a substantial recurring vaccine and diagnostic revenue stream, positioning MSD Animal Health, Zoetis, Ceva and Elanco to compete for downstream commercial rights.

For the latest updates and in-depth insights into the world of Animal Health, including breakthrough treatments, industry trends, and regulatory news, contact Luca Sedicina today!