The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced on January 10 that it has made an official call for research applications focused on the development of a nucleic acid-based vaccine against the virus. herpesvirus in horses. Dr. John Ballantyne and the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation have committed $2 million in funding for this research.
Dell Hancock, foundation president, said: “We are grateful to Dr Ballantyne for his generosity in supporting efforts to tackle EHV, a disease that affects all horses. “This gift will help Grayson continue his commitment to funding important equine research, and our research advisory committee looks forward to seeing what proposals are submitted.”
“As a horse breeder with a biotech background, I recognize the dangers of EHV and see the potential of a nucleic acid-based vaccine to combat the disease,” says Ballantyne. “I’m proud to be working with Grayson to support EHV research.”
Grayson is interested in research proposals that focus on EHV-1, EHV-3 and EHV-4, with a multivalent or pan-valent approach. The researchers must be able to conduct an in vivo proof of principle of efficacy in an equine model in-house or through collaboration. Applications from established equine investigators in collaboration with experts from other fields (e.g., human vaccinators) are highly recommended. It is anticipated that this research will last three to four years and possibly multiple projects.
The grant application is due on October 1st and can be submitted at grayson-jockeyclub.org.
