Ames, Iowa-based vaccine producer, Harrisvaccines, has been awarded two Technology Association of Iowa 2015 Prometheus Awards for Best User of Technology and Technology Company of the Year (small/medium company).

Joel Harris, Head of Sales and Marketing for Harrisvaccines, said: “We are honoured by the Technology Association of Iowa’s recognition of our hard work and successes in 2014. From becoming the first company in the nation to receive USDA conditional licensure for our PEDv vaccine, to our tremendous team growth, 2014 was an exceptionally successful year for Harrisvaccines.

“This distinction from the Technology Association of Iowa further cements our place as a leader in the veterinary biologics field. We are grateful for the recognition and congratulate our fellow nominees on their successes as well.”

The Technology Association of Iowa’s 10th annual Prometheus Awards were held on 16 April 2015. The Prometheus Awards have been established as Iowa’s largest and most prestigious honour dedicated to recognising and celebrating the innovation and brilliance of Iowa’s high-tech industry. This ceremony included both companies and individuals who demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in technology.

Harrisvaccines was a finalist for an unprecedented seven award categories:

• Top Growth Company of the Year
• Best User of Technology
• CEO of the Year (Hank Harris)
• CIO/CTO/CSO (Mark Mogler)
• Break Out Award
• Life Sciences/Agricultural Company of the Year, and
• Technology Company of the Year (small/medium).

Founded in 2005, Harrisvaccines operates at the cutting edge of the biologics industry and employs innovative production methods to address emerging diseases in both livestock and companion animals.

Harrisvaccines’ SirraVax^SM RNA Particle (RP) Platform is unlike any other in existence today, using the genetic sequence of a virus, submitted electronically, to create a vaccine. This exclusive use of technology requires no live viruses in developing vaccines, keeping Harrisvaccines’ facilities and users of its technology singularly protected from biosecurity threats inherent to other production methods.

Harrisvaccines uses its SirraVax echnology to develop strain-specific vaccines in just a matter of weeks, allowing for rapid response to disease outbreaks. This distinctive vaccine method has enabled the company to respond immediately to some of the most disruptive and deadly livestock diseases in recent history.

When the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea virus (PEDv) hit the United States in 2013, Harrisvaccines was the first to create and license a vaccine for this devastating disease. Harrisvaccines sold more than 2.6 million doses in 2014, alone, highlighting the agility with which the company is able to respond to myriad health threats to livestock and companion animals.

Dr Hank Harris, president and CEO of Harrisvaccines, commented: “Harrisvaccines is committed to innovation. Our SirraVax RP Platform makes us unique among other vaccine producers, and we use our proprietary technology to improve the health and productivity of livestock and companion animals.

“We are honoured to be awarded two prestigious Prometheus Awards among other pioneering Iowa companies, and look forward to continuing to advance our technology and products,” he said.