Innovation Interview: BALIMMUNE investigates bacterial bioactive molecules to improve animal health
The BALIMMUNE project seeks to advance the identification and evaluation of bacterial bioactive molecules with the potential to stimulate or modulate the immune response in animals.
Led by INGULADOS, the project combines microbiology, biotechnology, bioinformatics analysis and advanced functional evaluation to develop objective, traceable and reproducible methodologies. This knowledge will strengthen future research into immunomodulators, postbiotics and innovative veterinary formulations.
BALIMMUNE is also aligned with the One Health approach, exploring preventive strategies that can improve animal health and reduce dependence on antimicrobials.
We spoke with the team at INGULADOS to learn more about the project’s technological challenges, its potential for animal health and the opportunities it may create for future R&D activities.
What motivated the development of the BALIMMUNE project, and why is it important to investigate bacterial bioactive molecules?
BALIMMUNE was created in response to the need to move beyond the conventional strategies used in animal health to modulate the immune response.
Although there is growing scientific evidence that certain bacterial-derived molecules can produce highly relevant immunostimulatory and immunomodulatory effects, the available knowledge remains fragmented. This makes it difficult to systematically identify the most promising compounds and fully understand their mechanisms of action.
INGULADOS has been working for years to find solutions to real-world problems through microbiology and biotechnology. BALIMMUNE aims to continue generating knowledge by establishing a scientific and technological framework that makes it possible to identify, characterize and evaluate molecules capable of stimulating or modulating the immune response in an objective and reproducible way.
This knowledge could lay the foundations for the development of future innovative tools that contribute to improving animal health through more precise modulation of the immune system.
What are the main technological limitations currently affecting the identification and evaluation of compounds with immunomodulatory or antimicrobial potential?
There are currently several important limitations.
Firstly, there are no standardized methodologies that make it possible to objectively compare different bacterial compounds according to their immunomodulatory activity, stability or potential application in animal health.
In addition, candidate selection continues to be based, in many cases, on partial or empirical criteria, making it difficult to prioritize the molecules with the greatest potential.
There is also a lack of comparative experimental models and standardized technical indicators that allow both antimicrobial activity and the capacity to stimulate immune responses to be evaluated in a reproducible way.
BALIMMUNE seeks to overcome these barriers by developing criteria, methodologies and indicators that reduce the existing technological uncertainty.
What role could BALIMMUNE play in the future of animal health?
BALIMMUNE could become a knowledge platform that facilitates the development of new animal health solutions.
Although the project does not seek to obtain an immediate commercial product, it aims to generate the scientific and technical foundations required for future applications based on bacterial bioactive molecules.
In the medium and long term, the knowledge generated could contribute to the design of more specific strategies for stimulating the immune response, complementing veterinary vaccine formulations and developing innovative alternatives that improve disease prevention in animals.
How is the project related to reducing antimicrobial use and the One Health approach?
One of the most relevant aspects of BALIMMUNE is its alignment with current animal health trends, which aim to reduce antimicrobial use through preventive strategies and the strengthening of the immune system.
The project seeks to generate knowledge that makes it possible to explore new approaches based on bacterial compounds with immunomodulatory capacity and antimicrobial activity.
This approach is fully aligned with One Health, which recognizes the close relationship between animal, human and environmental health.
Supporting the development of tools that help prevent disease and reduce dependence on antibiotics represents an important step towards more sustainable and responsible animal production models.
Why is it important to have comparable, traceable and reproducible criteria in this type of research?
It is a fundamental aspect.
When working with a large number of potentially bioactive compounds, having objective and reproducible criteria makes it possible to compare results reliably, reduce uncertainty and make decisions based on scientific evidence.
BALIMMUNE aims to build this methodological framework by defining technical indicators and standardized procedures that facilitate the selection of the most promising candidates.
This will also help ensure that the results obtained are transferable and can be used in future research and development phases.
What opportunities could the project create for future R&D activities at INGULADOS?
The project will significantly strengthen the R&D capabilities of INGULADOS in a technological area of major strategic interest.
It will help consolidate expertise in the rational selection of bioactive compounds, bioinformatics analysis, advanced functional evaluation and the comparison of different technological pathways.
These capabilities may be reused in future research into new immunomodulators, postbiotics, innovative veterinary formulations or solutions designed to improve disease prevention.
The knowledge generated will also help reduce the technical risk of subsequent projects and enable new developments to be approached from a stronger scientific foundation.
How does BALIMMUNE fit into the company’s innovation strategy?
BALIMMUNE represents a natural step within the innovation strategy of INGULADOS.
The company already has extensive experience in applied microbiology, biotechnology and the development of animal health solutions based on microorganisms and postbiotic derivatives. Its research activity includes the characterization of new microbial strains and bioactive components designed to improve animal health.
This project expands that technological foundation into a particularly relevant field: immunomodulation through bacterial bioactive compounds.
Rather than developing a specific product, BALIMMUNE seeks to generate strategic knowledge and new technological capabilities that will allow the company to undertake future developments with greater scientific strength, lower uncertainty and a clear focus on innovative, high-value animal health solutions.
What has your experience been like working with Evolution Europe during the funding process? What would you highlight as its differentiating value?
Throughout the funding application process, we received the support of Evolution Europe, whose team demonstrated in-depth knowledge of both funding programmes and the technical requirements associated with this type of R&D project.
Evolution Europe’s support was essential in properly structuring the proposal, identifying the project’s differentiating aspects and presenting a strong application from both a technical and strategic perspective.
We especially value the team’s close support, adaptability and continuous guidance, which provided reassurance and facilitated the management of a particularly demanding call.
Its differentiating value lies in combining strong technical expertise with a strategic vision of innovation, helping transform a research idea into a competitive project that is well aligned with the funding objectives.
