The future of swine health is taking a significant leap forward as a team of dedicated researchers, in collaboration with Swine Innovation Porc, pioneers the development of a groundbreaking synthetic sugar-based vaccine to safeguard pigs from Strep suis. Dr. Marcelo Gottschalk, Dr. Mariela Segura from the University of Montreal, and Dr. Todd Lowary from the University of Alberta have embarked on this groundbreaking journey, generously funded by Swine Innovation Porc. Their groundbreaking work involves connecting a synthetic sugar derived from the protective coating of Streptococcus suis to a protein that enables the pig’s immune system to recognize and combat the bacteria effectively.
The Challenge:
Targeting the Protective Capsule
Dr. Marcelo Gottschalk, the Director of the International Reference Laboratory for Streptococcus suis, emphasizes that the primary challenge lies in inducing antibodies that neutralize the protective capsule enveloping the Streptococcus suis bacteria.
“This capsule consists solely of sugar, rendering the bacteria virtually invisible to the host, such as pigs, as it enters the body,” said Dr. Gottschalk.
In past research, scientists demonstrated that by linking sugar to a protein, the immune system can recognize the sugar and produce antibodies. However, this process can be expensive. The researchers took a revolutionary approach by synthesizing the sugar to overcome this hurdle.

They created a fully synthetic portion of the sugar. They linked it to a protein, proving that this entirely synthetic sugar fragment can induce the production of antibodies.
Unprecedented Protection
The groundbreaking results are nothing short of extraordinary. When administered to pigs, the synthetic sugar-based vaccine, after two weeks to develop antibodies, successfully shields the piglets when challenged with virulent Strep suis bacteria. This innovative vaccine represents a major milestone in veterinary medicine, marking the first synthetic sugar-based vaccine ever developed for pigs and all species. Since this remarkable achievement has never occurred, it is a historic breakthrough.
Continual Improvement
While researchers have demonstrated that a sugar-based vaccine can effectively protect pigs from Strep suis, their work doesn’t stop there. The team is tirelessly dedicated to enhancing the synthetic sugar to create an even more potent and effective vaccine version. The goal is to develop a product that can eventually be commercialized by a pharmaceutical company, ensuring that this groundbreaking vaccine reaches pig producers worldwide.
In conclusion, the collaborative efforts of dedicated researchers supported by Swine Innovation Porc are ushering in a new era in swine health. Developing the first-ever synthetic sugar-based vaccine for veterinary medicine represents a monumental achievement in disease prevention. This innovation holds the potential to transform the swine industry by providing an effective tool to combat Strep suis, ultimately benefiting pig producers and safeguarding the health and well-being of their herds. As this pioneering work continues, the swine industry can look forward to a brighter, healthier future for pigs worldwide.
Dr. Gottschalk said researchers have proved a sugar-based vaccine can protect pigs from Strep suis, and now they are developing an improved version of the synthetic sugar.
“The goal is to create a product that a pharmaceutical company can commercialize.” •
— By Harry Siemens