🌍 Vaccine to Cut Livestock Methane Wins Global Recognition: Lucidome Bio Advances Climate-Smart Farming

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 CO₂ 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.”