Diseases and systems we focus on
Our first flagship program targets Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) in feedlot cattle, and we are building a pipeline that extends into aquaculture, dairy, equine, poultry and companion‑animal health.
Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD)
BRD is the leading cause of sickness and death in Australian feedlot cattle, driving a large share of antibiotic use and economic loss. Here we explain what causes BRD, why it matters for performance and welfare, and how better prevention, management and future phage tools aim to reduce treatment burden while keeping cattle healthy.
[Meat & Livestock Australia BRD resources: Meat & Livestock Australia 2026, Bovine respiratory disease, Meat & Livestock Australia, viewed 10 June 2026, <https://www.mla.com.au/research-and-development/animal-health-welfare-and-biosecurity/diseases/infectious/bovine-respiratory-disease/>. ; Meat & Livestock Australia 2014, Controlling bovine respiratory disease in feedlot cattle, Meat & Livestock Australia, North Sydney, viewed 10 June 2026, <https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/extensions-training-and-tools/creative-commons/controlling-bovine-respiratory-disease-in-feedlot-cattle.pdf>. ; Meat & Livestock Australia 2020, Antimicrobial surveillance – BRD pathogens, Meat & Livestock Australia, North Sydney, viewed 10 June 2026, <https://www.mla.com.au/research-and-development/reports/2020/antimicrobial-surveillance--brd-pathogens/>]
Aquaculture health and AMR
A short guide to common bacterial problems in salmon and other farmed fish, how antibiotics and other tools are used today, and where phage‑based approaches may help in future as part of a broader health plan.
[James, L., Uren Webster, T.M., Thomas, G., Middelboe, M. and Consuegra, S. (2026), A Review of Phage Therapy for Aquaculture Applications: Efficacy, Health Ramifications and Research Challenges. Fish Fish, 27: 300-312.https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.70055Doi:10.3390/v9030050; Doss, J., Culbertson, K., Hahn, D., Camacho, J., & Barekzi, N. (2017). A review of phage therapy against bacterial pathogens of aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Viruses, 9(3), 1-10. doi:10.3390/v9030050 (https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1233&context=biology_fac_pubs)]
Other intensive animal systems
We also outline emerging opportunities for precision phage solutions in dairy (e.g. mastitis), equine respiratory and wound infections, poultry production, and companion‑animal health, where targeted approaches can reduce antibiotic reliance while supporting productivity, welfare and biosecurity across the supply chain.
Ferriol-González, C & Domingo-Calap, P 2021, ‘Phage therapy in livestock and companion animals’, Antibiotics, vol. 10, no. 5, 559.[pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih]
Nale, JY & McEwan, NR 2023, ‘Bacteriophage therapy to control bovine mastitis: a review’, Antibiotics, vol. 12, no. 8, 1307.[pure.sruc.ac]
Kim, J et al. 2023, ‘The current state of phage therapy in livestock and companion animals’, Journal of Animal Science and Technology, vol. 66, no. 1, pp. 57–72.[ejast]
Nayak, SK & Üstündağ, M 2025, ‘Phage therapy in aquaculture: applications, efficacy and challenges’, MEMBA Su Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 182–200.[dergipark.org]
Yang, Y et al. 2024, ‘The evaluation of bacteriophage therapy in aquaculture: a systematic review and meta‑analysis’, Aquaculture, online ahead of print.[sciencedirect]
Johnson, TA et al. 2021, ‘Efficacy of phage therapy in pigs: systematic review and meta‑analysis’, Journal of Animal Science, vol. 99, no. 7, skab157.[academic.oup]
Oliveira, J et al. 2026, ‘A review of phage therapy for aquaculture applications’, Fish and Fisheries, vol. 27, no. 1, faf.70055.[onlinelibrary.wiley]
European Commission Joint Research Centre 2023, Overview and outlook of phage therapy and phage biocontrol, JRC Technical Report, Publications Office of the European Union.[publications.jrc.ec.europa]
