11 November 2026
Auckland, New
Zealand_Global confidence is converging
behind a New Zealand-developed methane vaccine that could
provide one of the first practical emissions solutions for
grazing livestock, with Lucidome Bio securing $9 million in
new funding to accelerate development of its breakthrough
platform.
The funding round brings
together support from existing investors Bezos Earth Fund,
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), majority shareholder
AgriZeroNZ and the NZ Ag Emissions Centre, reflecting
growing confidence from agricultural, climate and innovation
leaders in the company’s science, global relevance and
commercial potential.
The funding will accelerate
development of Lucidome Bio’s methane vaccine, support
continued advancement of its research and fund a series of
cattle trials scheduled to commence over the next 18
months.
A different approach to a global
challenge
Methane from livestock remains one of
agriculture’s most significant environmental challenges.
While a number of technologies are emerging globally, many
rely on feed additives, controlled feeding systems or
delivery approaches such as a ‘bolus’.
Lucidome
Bio is pursuing a different path. The company is developing
a vaccine that targets methanogenic archaea – the microbes
responsible for methane production in ruminants – by priming
the animal’s immune system to reduce methane generation
without compromising animal health or
productivity.
Hawkins (Photo/Supplied)
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Chair
Bridgit Hawkins said the company’s focus has always been on
developing a solution that fits the realities of
farming.
“Farmers need tools that work within existing
farming systems. Our focus has always been on developing a
practical solution that can work across dairy, beef and
sheep systems.”
The approach is particularly relevant
for countries such as New Zealand and Australia, where
livestock spend much of their lives grazing in pasture-based
systems rather than intensive feedlot
environments.
“Pasture-based farming systems are some
of the most efficient food production systems in the world,
but they present unique challenges when it comes to methane
reduction. We believe those systems require solutions
specifically designed for the way farmers actually
farm.”
Backing practical solutions for
farmers
Ag Emissions Centre Executive Director Naomi
Parker said the investment by the Centre and the other
funding partners reflects the importance of developing
multiple pathways for farmers to reduce emissions while
maintaining productive farming businesses. “New Zealand
farmers need fit-for-purpose tools that work within
pasture-based farming systems. Lucidome Bio’s vaccine
approach has the potential to become an important addition
to the toolbox available to farmers, and we’re pleased to be
one of the supporters for the next stage of its
development.”
Tapping the power of artificial
intelligence
In support of its biological research
programme, Lucidome Bio is using advanced artificial
intelligence tools to accelerate vaccine development. This
includes AlphaFold, an AI system used to predict protein
structures, helping researchers to identify and optimise
vaccine targets more efficiently. This approach, combined
with past work to characterise methanogens in farmed
ruminants around the world, enables multiple different
methanogens to be targeted with one antigen. Complementing
this, the Bezos Earth Fund partnership with British
researchers and Lucidome Bio leverages monoclonal antibodies
to reverse engineer antibody targets. By applying the latest
scientific approaches to this age-old process, Lucidome Bio
creates increasing confidence in finding a meaningful
solution.
Hawkins said the convergence of science and
artificial intelligence is helping accelerate progress
against one of agriculture’s most complex biological
challenges.
“AI-powered tools are helping us
understand biological systems at a level of speed and
precision that simply wasn’t possible before. It enables us
to identify promising pathways faster, improve vaccine
design and make smarter research decisions throughout the
development process.”
A signal of growing global
momentum
The funding follows a period of growing
international recognition for Lucidome Bio, including
selection as a global finalist at the Animal Health,
Nutrition and Technology Innovation Showcase in Boston last
year where the company’s methane vaccine platform was
recognised for its potential to transform livestock methane
reduction at scale.
For Hawkins, the significance of
the funding extends well beyond the capital
itself.
“This is validation from organisations that
understand both agriculture and climate change. These
investors have looked closely at the challenge, assessed the
technology and chosen to support it. That gives us
confidence that we’re developing world leading science with
the potential to make a meaningful difference for farmers
and the environment.”
As global pressure grows to
reduce agricultural emissions while maintaining food
production, Lucidome Bio believes farmers will need a wider
range of practical options.
“For too long, methane
reduction has been framed as a trade-off between
environmental progress and farming practicality. Our goal is
to help change that by developing a solution that can reduce
emissions while fitting the way farmers actually operate,”
concludes Hawkins.
See more > https://lucidomebio.com/