Bee Vaccine Generates Buzz

BIO member Dalan Animal Health’s honeybee vaccine is generating buzz—here’s why. Plus, a D.C.-area man has been named “Miracle Man” after surviving sepsis, but he now needs a kidney. We tell you his story and why developing new antimicrobials matters. (423 words, 2 minutes, 6 seconds)

Vaccine for honeybees generates buzz

BIO member Dalan Animal Health’s vaccine against American foulbrood, among the greatest threats to honeybees—and therefore our food—is one of Time’s “Best Inventions of 2023.”

American foulbrood, caused by the bacteria Paenibacillus larvae, attacks young honeybees and wipes out entire hives within weeks—and is believed to infect around half the world’s honeybee hives.

The first-ever vaccine approved for honeybees is put in “queen candy” eaten by worker bees, who feed the queen bee. Her offspring then, have greater immunity to American foulbrood.

Why did bee vaccines take so long? Because science only recently discovered that bees have an immune system, Dalan CEO Annette Kleiser said on a recent episode of the I am BIO Podcast.

What else does biotech do for bees? BIO Member GreenLight Biosciences, using mRNA technology for human and animal treatments, is developing a vaccine to fight varroa mites, another enemy of bees, BIO's podcast explained.

Why it matters: 1 in 3 bites of food you eat exists because of bees and other pollinators, and honeybees contribute $15 billion annually to the U.S. economy—learn more from the I am BIO Podcast. 

Wife of ‘Miracle Man’ says patients need PASTEUR Act

A caregiver whose husband needs a kidney transplant after fighting sepsis calls for policy to encourage antimicrobial development.

The first fight: Mike Lavorel contracted sepsis from a bacteria that infects oysters and is spreading north due to climate change. He lost his lower legs and several fingers but survived, earning the nickname “Miracle Man.”

The journey continues: His kidney damage caused by the sepsis has worsened, and Mike needs a kidney donor. If a non-matching donor donates in Mike’s name, he’ll be in a line for the next matching kidney—learn more.

Antibiotics saved Mike’s life, says his wife Jennifer Lavorel. We need to address the broken market for the development of new antimicrobials to encounter growing drug resistance.

Here’s how: Jennifer says patients need the PASTEUR Act, which would support greater antimicrobial development.

Caregiver’s view: Jennifer Lavorel says health workers in top-notch facilities saved her husband, but it wouldn’t have mattered if the antibiotics didn’t work. “All of it would amount to nothing in the face of the tiniest microbe for which we lack a treatment. It’s a terrifying thought,” she says. 

Read the Lavorels’ story.

President Biden’s Monday: Participating in an event highlighting his Administration’s work to advance secure, trustworthy AI before hosting local and military children for Halloween trick-or-treating.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: No hearings scheduled today. ICYMI: Sen. Debbie Stabenow spoke on the Senate Floor last week urging passage of the bipartisan Farm Bill.