In a breakthrough for sustainable agriculture, Lucidome Bio, a New Zealand-based agri-biotech company, has been named a global finalist at the Animal Health, Nutrition and Technology Innovation USA 2025 summit in Boston. The recognition spotlights a potentially game-changing innovation: a vaccine designed to reduce methane emissions in ruminant livestock.
🧪 The Science: Methane Reduction Through Immunity
Lucidome Bio’s novel vaccine stimulates the animal’s immune system to produce antibodies in saliva, targeting and suppressing methane-producing microbes in the rumen, the primary source of livestock-generated methane emissions.
These microbes, known as methanogens, are responsible for over 90% of the methane emitted from cattle, goats, and sheep belching. Though short-lived, methane is 84 times more potent than COâ‚‚ over a 20-year period, making livestock emissions a major contributor to global warming.
🌱 A Game Changer for Global Livestock Farming
“What we’re developing has the potential to fundamentally shift how livestock emissions are managed,” says Bridgit Hawkins, Chairperson of Lucidome Bio. “It’s a practical, cost-effective tool that works with nature—not against it—without compromising productivity.”
The vaccine, if successfully scaled, could provide farmers worldwide with a low-cost, non-intrusive tool to reduce their carbon footprint, especially in regions like India where ruminant livestock account for a significant share of agricultural emissions.
🌏 Why This Matters for the Indian Dairy Sector
India, the world’s largest milk producer, is also one of the top emitters of livestock-related methane. While India has taken steps toward sustainable dairy farming, including precision feed and manure management, a vaccine-based solution could:
- Offer low-cost methane mitigation for smallholder farmers
- Reduce the need for expensive feed additives or feed changes
- Integrate seamlessly into existing animal health programs
- Align with Dairy Climate Solutions and Eco-friendly Dairy India initiatives
🧬 Global Science, Local Impact
AgriZeroNZ, the New Zealand Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, and the New Zealand government back Lucidome Bio. The innovation builds on two decades of climate-focused livestock research and reflects New Zealand’s leadership in agri-climate innovation.
“This isn’t innovation for innovation’s sake—it’s a critical lever for climate action in agriculture,” Hawkins added.
Lucidome Bio’s CEO David Aitken emphasized the broader impact:
“Our selection as a global finalist signals that the world is ready for practical, science-backed tools to reshape farming systems.”
