A Buzzworthy Solution: The World’s First Government-Approved Bee Vaccine

In the web of nature’s design, bees stand as humble heroes. Responsible for
pollinating over 75 percent of leading global
crops,
bees play an indispensable role in food production — with honeybees alone
pollinating $15
billion
worth of agricultural products each year.

However, despite their importance, the buzz of bees in nature’s symphony is
fading as these vital pollinators face an unprecedented decline. Honeybee
populations are impacted by a host of challenges threatening their existence
—habitat loss, pesticide exposure, climate change and diseases such as American
foulbrood disease
(AFB)
are among the major culprits behind colony collapse disorder, which is weakening
and ultimately decimating bee populations.

With scientists and innovators working tirelessly to protect our pollinators —
creating solutions from robotic
beekeeping
to the world’s first vegan
honey
— Athens, Georgia-based Dalan Animal Health joins
the fight with the world’s first honeybee vaccine.

“Pollinators are the building blocks of our food supply and play a crucial role
in maintaining ecosystem biodiversity. Without them, the global food supply as
we know it ceases to exist,” co-founder and CEO Dr. Annette
Kleiser — who has over 20
years’ experience in biotech business development, startups and corporate
strategy — tells Sustainable Brands®. “Our honeybee vaccine represents an
important milestone in the collective fight for increased invertebrate health
and environmental sustainability as we enable beekeepers to access proactive
solutions for healthy, productive hives.”

Kleiser met co-founder Dalial
Freitak
at the University of Helsinki and the two
connected over groundbreaking research on pollinator health. In 2018, they
founded Dalan to take the research from the lab to real-world application.

The vaccine

An inoculated queen among drones | Image credit: Dalan Animal Health

According to Dr. Nigel Swift,
Dalan’s Global Head of Sustainable Agriculture and One Health, the vaccine
“offers a non-chemical, sustainable alternative to antibiotics — reducing the
risk of antibiotic resistance and ensuring healthier bee populations, which are
essential for biodiversity and a stable, productive agricultural ecosystem.”

Dalan’s vaccine specifically addresses the threat of American Foulbrood (AFB) —
the most widespread and
destructive
of the brood diseases. While it only attacks larvae, AFB weakens the colony and
can lead to its death in only three
weeks.
Administered orally to the queen bee, it utilizes a biological
process known as
transgenerational immune priming (where immunity to diseases is passed down from
one generation to the next). Through this mechanism, the queen bee imparts AFB
immunity to her offspring during their development — ensuring the entire colony
benefits. What sets this approach apart is its reliance on natural processes,
devoid of chemicals or genetic modification. This aligns seamlessly with organic
agriculture principles and regulations set forth by the USDA — underscoring
Dalan’s commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for
insect health.

“Somebody has to do this. Bees are dying; and while there are many reasons why
they’re dying, disease is a major factor,” Kleiser explains. “We depend on them
for our food. We’re not going to address pesticides or monocultures any time
soon — those are policy decisions — but we know vaccines work; and research has
shown it seems to work in bees. This is something we can do now. We don’t have
to wait 20 years.”

Dalan is committed to scaling up the production and distribution of its vaccine.
Leveraging regulatory approval and manufacturing processes, the company aims to
ensure widespread access to this vital protection, aligning with the urgent
demands of our time.

In the United States and
Canada,
beekeepers can access Dalan’s vaccine through inoculated
queens available from queen producers and
retailers. Additionally, larger operations have the option to purchase vials
directly from their team for inoculating their own queens. While challenges such
as scaling production, navigating diverse regulatory landscapes and ensuring
global accessibility lie ahead, opportunities abound in forging partnerships,
harnessing technological advancements and increasing awareness of the critical
importance of bee health.

Collaboration and transparency

Dalan Animal Health engages in collaborations with agricultural organizations,
environmental groups and regulatory bodies — pooling resources and expertise to
tackle bee health challenges comprehensively and promote ecosystem resilience.

The company also prioritizes transparency regarding the vaccine’s capabilities
and limitations, aiming to foster informed discussions and sharing insights.
Through open dialogue, the Dalan team educates stakeholders on the benefits of
vaccination, the necessity of continued inoculation for new queen bees, and
ongoing research efforts aimed at mitigating bee health threats. This approach
strives to empower beekeepers and decision-makers with the knowledge needed to
make informed choices for the wellbeing of pollinators and ecosystems alike.

“Our mission is to revolutionize bee health management, fostering resilient bee
populations essential for ecosystem health and sustainable agriculture
worldwide,” Kleiser asserts. “Our vaccine serves as a cornerstone in realizing
this vision — offering a safe, effective and eco-friendly solution to combat one
of the foremost threats to bee health and global food security.”

Published Apr 5, 2024 11am EDT / 8am PDT / 4pm BST / 5pm CEST

Scarlett Buckley

Scarlett Buckley is a London-based freelance sustainability writer with an MSc in Creative Arts & Mental Health.