animal health & nutrition consortium

ANIMAL HEALTH & NUTRITION CONSORTIUM 1 3/2021

Animal Health & Nutrition Consortium 2021 Proposal Guidelines & Instructions

Deadline for Application Please submit the proposals to Dr. Chongxiao (Sean) Chen via email [email protected] by

5:00 pm, Monday, April 12, 2021

Program Requirements

Purpose The mission of the Animal Health & Nutrition Consortium (AHNC) is to promote innovation and advances in production and companion animal health and welfare, with a special focus on gut health, nutrition, using precision technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) big data analytics.

The proposed research projects must demonstrate the potential to bridge basic (fundamental) and applied (translational) research to accelerate the pace of discovery and application of new technologies, with a focus on animal nutrition and its impact on food and companion animal health and productivity. Collaborative and interdisciplinary research proposals are strongly encouraged.

Who May Apply All faculty members of NC State University are eligible to apply.

• The principal investigator (PI) and all Co-PIs must hold a full-time non-tenure-track, tenure-track or tenured faculty appointment, or an equivalent appointment as a full-time research faculty with a dedicated independent lab. Visiting scientists, post-docs and other non-permanent positions are not eligible as PIs or Co-PIs.

• Junior faculty are strongly encouraged to apply.

Research Topics • Review the Proposal Topic Submission Forms

provided along with this Request For Proposals (RFP). Investigators are encouraged to communicate directly with Company Contacts listed on Research Topic Descriptions (attached) for additional clarification before submitting a proposal.

• Proposals should respond to Research Topics distributed with this RFP. A PI or Co-PI may be included on only ONE proposal submission per Research Topic.

• Additionally, PIs may submit one Proposal in a research area not covered by the Research Topics if it falls under the purview of AHNC.

Funding Requirements See “Budget Guidelines” on page 2 for additional budget information. • A maximum of $50,000/year for up to 1 year can

be requested. • Requested funds may include salaries/fringe

benefits for researchers and support personnel but may NOT include salaries/fringe benefits for PI or Co-PIs as defined under “Who May Apply.”

• Requested funds may be used for travel, supplies, current services, and other direct costs related to the project.

Review Process

The Proposal review process is as follows: • Proposals will be distributed electronically to

Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) representatives from Member companies for review. IAB representatives will rank proposals for commercial potential, conformance with Research Topics and mission of AHNC. Thus, it is important that the project is presented in a clear

mailto:[email protected]


and structured manner in the project description, which is a central document in the review application.

• The top proposals will be subjected to a second round of discussion and final ranking for funding at the IAB meeting scheduled for June 1, 2021. Up to five principal investigators may be invited to make a 5-minute presentation of the proposed research project during the IAB meeting. Funding decisions will be made at the IAB meeting. The decisions of the IAB are final. Applicants should be expected to be notified by email whether they were selected for funding no later than June 31, 2021.

Post-award Reporting PIs are expected to provide a progress report or final report at the annual IAB meetings, as appropriate. Quarterly interim reports to Consortium Members are strongly encouraged.

Confidentiality The IAB will endeavor to maintain the confidentiality of all applicants’ information. However, the applicant is responsible for not disclosing any information that should not be discussed outside of the IAB meeting. Similarly, Research Topics are not to be disclosed outside the university, including to other industry members.

Application Instructions

General Proposal Formatting Guidelines • Use standard font (such as Calibri, Cambria, or

Times New Roman) no smaller than 12 point. • Page set-up should be for single-spacing on

8½"x11" paper. • Number each page. • Margins should be 1”. • Each section should be titled using the headers

listed below. • Do not use logos or letterhead on any pages of

the Proposal. • Do not include the name of the company that

submitted the research topic to which you are responding.

Proposal Requirements The Proposal must include the following sections. The project description cannot exceed three (3) pages (as indicated below). This limit does NOT include the Title Page or Letter(s) of Support. • Title: Include Project Title, PI (Co-PI) • Proposed Budget: Total AHNC Request, not

including overhead. • Abstract: Up to 300 words • Project Description:

o Introduction o Hypotheses, Goals, and Objectives o Methodology (including experimental

design, data collection and analysis) o Anticipated Outcomes o Barriers (if any) to adoption of your

research outcome(s) • Budget Justification:

o maximum 1 page o Detailed outline of budget

• PI and Key Personnel Bio sketch o maximum 1 page for each

Further information For further information or queries, please contact Dr. Chongxiao (Sean) Chen at [email protected] or 919-515-5534


Animal Health & Nutrition Consortium Research Topics from Industry Members

Biovet, SA-IFTA USA Inc.

Contact Name: Carlos Domenech Email: [email protected]

Contact Name: Anna Tesouro Email: [email protected]

Contact Name: David Diez Email: [email protected]

Research Topic 1

Proposed Title of Project

Natural products evaluation in African Swine Fever (ASF) prevention

Proposed Research Project Outline and Deliverables ASF is a highly contagious hemorrhagic disease of viric origin that affects pigs, both domestic and wild, of all age groups. It is caused by a DNA virus of the Asfarviridae family. It is endemic in most of the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, although it is also present in regions of Asia and Europe. The oronasal route is the most common route of entry, but it can also enter the organism cutaneously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly and intravenously through tick bites. Primary replication takes place in the lymph nodes which are closest to the site of entry of the virus. For 2-8 days after infection, it spreads through the blood and / or lymph. As the virus reaches different organs, the second replication occurs, which destroys the blood vessels’ internal tissue (endothelium) and causes bleeding. This pathology has catastrophic effects on pig production with serious socioeconomic consequences due to the forced sacrifice of all infected animals. Certain molecules from natural origin may be able to reduce this illness incidence, and we propose a study to evaluate their effects in farm conditions. Research Topic 2 Proposed Title of Project In ovo natural products evaluation in day-old chick quality improvement

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Proposed Research Project Outline and Deliverables The quality of day-old chicks is one of the aspects that most affect performance until slaughter. This is due to different reasons: - A lower initial weight of the chicks at birth is correlated with a lower weight at slaughter. - There are numerous deficiencies in the development of the embryo due to nutrient deficiencies that delay the birds’ development in the starter phase, when birds are already in the fattening farm - Chicks can be contaminated by many microorganisms coming from the breeders through the yolk. Therefore, a better quality of the yolk will prevent the spread of diseases and will ensure a better development of the chicks, as well as less mortality and/or morbidity. Certain molecules from natural origin may be able to reduce vertical infections coming from the breeders when introduced in ovo, and we propose a study to evaluate their effects in farm conditions.


BioResource International, Inc. (BRI)

Contact Name: Giles Shih Email: [email protected] Proposed Title of Project Rapid non-invasive diagnostic tool for on-site detection of disease, mainly related to Eimeria spp. quantification methods such as oocyst count and/or PCR or other non-invasive biomarkers that can be performed on-site.


Premex

Contact name: Paula Barngrover Email: [email protected] Research Topic 1 Proposed Title of Project: Gut health biomarkers Proposed Research Project Outline and Deliverables A work has been initiated towards finding biomarkers that will show gut health as a quantitative fact. There is research worldwide about it. A meta-analysis that extracts the information from available knowledge and creates research to do deeper in that knowledge will be interesting. Mathematical models that allow us to predict gut health or gut inflammation, so the industry can act before the animals get sick. Same way today the industry measures performance with feed conversion. The industry needs a standardized way to measure gut health.

Deliverable:

- Correlations of biomarker levels and performance. - Institutionalization of the gut health measurement by NCSU.

Research topic 2 Proposed Title of Project: Non-Antibiotic therapy technologies efficacy test Proposed Research Project Outline and Deliverables We have many alternatives in the market that offer the same efficacy of antibiotics in animal protein production. We need to have a technology developed that helps us see as a fact how effective a non-antibiotic technology versus an antibiotic under commercial conditions is. Deliverable:

- Identification of the marker for efficacy and its assay to measure it. Research topic 3


Proposed Title of Project: Measurement of intestinal tract activity in pigs Proposed Research Project Outline and Deliverables Develop a non-invasive technology that allows us to sample gut in Pigs, so we can start the work that has been done in poultry. Deliverable:

- Tracking technology Research topic 4 Proposed Title of Project: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Proposed Research Project Outline and Deliverables In our effort to increase certainty in our livestock farming decision, we need artificial intelligence to be part of farming. Develop an economical model that optimizes livestock production using artificial intelligence models. Deliverable:

- Developing tools that allow us to measure critical factors in livestock production in an affordable way.


Braswell family farms

Contact name: Jonathan LaFoe Email: [email protected] Proposed Title of Project Chlorine dioxide water treatment on gut health Proposed Research Project Outline and Deliverables To test chlorine dioxide’s effect on gut health and nutrient absorption. Also testing chlorine dioxide’s ability to eradicating Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (LPAI) in drinking systems. This is mostly driven by the poultry and hog industry, but it is extremely relevant to all livestock operations especially with the move to no antibiotic production, etc. We would like to see if there is any monetary pay back on using chlorine dioxide in birds, layers, hogs, turkeys and on production, mortality and/or shell strength.


Butterball

Contact name: Vernon Felts Email: [email protected] Proposed Title of Project Diseases and gut health issues in turkeys Proposed Research Project Outline and Deliverables

- Clostridium dermatitis in turkeys. - Enteritis in young birds - E coli in middle age (8-12 weeks) in turkey - Cholera and other emerging diseases in turkeys - Mycoplasma in back yard chickens impacts turkey production. - Protozoal disease in turkeys: Tetratrichomonas, Histomonas, and

Cochlosoma


Elanco

Contact name: Lucas Huntimer Email: [email protected] Contact name: Tari Suprapto Email: [email protected] Contact name: Kelly Doucette Email: [email protected] Research topic 1 Proposed Title of Project Non-chemical preventative solutions for Coccidiosis in poultry production Proposed Research Project Outline and Deliverables Goal: Discovery and proof of concept validation of a novel preventative technology (vaccine, feed ingredient, enzyme) that can be applied en masse in broiler and turkey production systems. Coccidiosis and associated necrotic enteritis remain a very costly disease in modern poultry production systems. With market preferences bifurcating poultry production into No Antibiotic Ever (NAE) and conventional production, the need for stronger, non-chemical therapeutics to prevent intestinal diseases that were traditionally controlled with small molecule antibiotics and ionophores has grown. Elanco is seeking novel preventative technologies that can provide protective efficacy against coccidiosis and result in more efficient poultry production leading to less natural resource usage and less waste. An ideal product that could be deployed in poultry production with market uptake is outlined below. Target product profile: • Technology should be scalable for large scale manufacture, with a target price per dose of <$0.02 to the customer • Technology should be amenable for mass application in poultry production systems (i.e. spray, in feed, in water, in ovo prior to hatch) • Technology needs to demonstrate at >50% reduction in intestinal lesions caused by Eimeria • Technology needs to demonstrate >10^3 reduction in oocyst shedding • Technology demonstrates favorable productivity increases (weight gain, feed conversion ratios) as compared to untreated animals Elanco is seeking novel ideation and discovery that may include analysis into new vaccine or therapeutic targets or repurposing of existing targets and technologies for this specific purpose. Opportunities to leverage Elanco market, technical, and clinical modeling expertise could be leveraged to further efforts.


Research topic 2 Proposed Title of Project Non-chemical preventative solutions for Food Safety Pathogens (Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella, E. coli) in poultry production Proposed Research Project Outline and Deliverables Goal: Discovery and proof of concept validation of a novel preventative or treatment technology (vaccine, feed ingredient, enzyme) that can be applied en masse in broiler and turkey production systems. Multiple integrative solutions such as production management, vaccination, biosecurity, and feed additives contribute to keeping pathogens associated with food borne illness managed for poultry protein production. With market preferences bifurcating poultry production into No Antibiotic Ever (NAE) and conventional production, the need for stronger, non-chemical therapeutics to manage food safety bacterial pathogens that colonize poultry has grown. Elanco is seeking novel preventative technologies that can manage levels of colonization of C. jejuni, Salmonella (multiple serovars), and E.coli while simultaneously resulting in more efficient poultry production leading to less natural resource usage and less waste. An ideal product that could be deployed in poultry production with market uptake is outlined below Target product profile: • Technology should be scalable for large scale manufacture, with a target price per dose of <$0.02 to the customer • Technology should be amenable for mass application in poultry production systems (i.e. spray, in feed, in water, in ovo prior to hatch) • Technology needs to demonstrate at >10^3 reduction in bacterial colonization • Technology needs to demonstrate >10^3 reduction in shedding (if applicable) • Technology demonstrates favorable productivity increases (weight gain, feed conversion ratios) as compared to untreated animals Elanco is seeking novel ideation and discovery that may include analysis into new vaccine or therapeutic targets or repurposing of existing targets and technologies for this specific purpose. Opportunities to leverage Elanco market, technical, and clinical modeling expertise could be leveraged to further efforts. Research topic 3 Proposed Title of Project Innovating mass delivery of therapeutics for farm animals


Proposed Research Project Outline and Deliverables Goal: Discovery and proof of concept validation of technologies that eliminate needs for farm animal handling in modern production systems. The need to minimize stress in modern farm animal production results in maximized production efficiency as well as potentially more favorable practices for producers in deploying interventions. The elimination of animal handling to delivery vaccines or other injectable treatments not only would increase animal welfare but could increase compliance within therapeutic programs as well. Managing active component stabililty as well as mechanism of actions of the therapeutics while delivering the technology in a non-parenteral approach is challenging. Elanco is seeking technologies and approaches that can enable needle free delivery of mass preventative and therapeutic vaccines and pharmaceuticals. Technologies should be aimed at but not limited to: • Mucosal delivery • Temperature stability (liberating from cold chain constraints) • Deployed in feed/water applications • Spray delivery • Digital and/or physiological tracking of treatment administrations Research topic 4 Proposed Title of Project Integrating sustainability practices in farm animal production Proposed Research Project Outline and Deliverables Goal: Discovery and proof of concept validation of technologies or approaches that result in more sustainable farm animal production systems. Sustainability and resource usage while simultaneously meeting the demands of healthy protein production remain paramount to unlocking the future animal health and agriculture. Elanco has pledged to strive towards driving more resilient food systems enabling 57 million more people having access to nutritious protein while removing 21 million tons of emissions from our customers farms. Healthier and more productive animals lead to more efficiency and less resource usage. Elanco is seeking technologies and approaches that can enable resilient food production systems, lead to less emissions, or increase overall sustainable practices in poultry production. Technologies aimed at • Methane gas emission • Reduction, removal, or recycling of waste materials associated with modern farm animal production


• Reduction in resource usage that equals or improves growth efficiencies in farm animals • Smart management practices leading to protein production efficiencies

animal health & nutrition consortium

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