Authorities from Brazil and Argentina participated in the official antigen delivery ceremony held at Biogénesis Bagó's facility in Garín, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

Representatives from Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), the Paraná Institute of Technology (TECPAR), and Biogénesis Bagó participated today in the official delivery ceremony of the National Foot-and-Mouth Disease Emergency Response Antigen Bank, a strategic reserve created to strengthen Brazil's preparedness and rapid response capacity against potential animal health emergencies. 

As part of the visit, Brazil's Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, André de Paula, toured the company's facilities, a state-of-the-art biotechnology complex that houses both the antigen and vaccine bank and serves as a strategic reserve designed to enable rapid response to Foot-and-Mouth Disease emergencies in some of the world's leading beef-producing countries.

"Modern animal health security requires continuous planning, technological innovation and strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. The National Antigen Bank embodies this model of cooperation, bringing together TECPAR's scientific expertise, Biogénesis Bagó's technological capabilities and the institutional leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen Brazil's animal health preparedness," said Esteban Turic, CEO of Biogénesis Bagó. 

Brazil's Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, André de Paula, added: "This before and after moment in history. This is the result of efficient and professional work that allows us to say we have the strongest animal health defense system on the planet." 

The delivery is part of the agreement announced in December 2025, under which Biogénesis Bagó became the primary supplier of Brazil's first antigen bank for Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine production. The ten-year agreement includes the creation of a reserve containing 10 million doses of antigens covering the two virus serotypes that have circulated most frequently in Brazil, as well as the immediate supply of up to 10 million vaccine doses in the event of an outbreak.

"This project demonstrates how cooperation between public institutions and highly specialized technology companies can generate strategic solutions for the Brazilian State. The National Antigen Bank expands our preparedness capacity for potential animal health emergencies and reinforces TECPAR's commitment to innovation applied to animal health and the protection of Brazilian agriculture," said Eduardo Marafon, President of TECPAR. 

During the visit, authorities attended technical presentations on the operation of the antigen bank system and its importance for national surveillance and contingency programs against Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Alongside Minister André de Paula and representatives from MAPA and TECPAR, executives from Biogénesis Bagó, representatives of Argentina's National Service for Agrifood Health and Quality (SENASA), and members of the Brazilian Embassy in Buenos Aires were also present. 

What is a Foot-and-Mouth Disease Antigen Bank?

A Foot-and-Mouth Disease antigen bank consists of a strategic stock of antigen concentrates that can be rapidly formulated into vaccines in the event of an outbreak. As Foot-and-Mouth Disease is a notifiable disease, countries are responsible for maintaining their animal health status and implementing measures to prevent and control outbreaks. 

This tool enables countries to access world-class emergency vaccines within as little as seven days, since the antigens have already undergone all required quality controls and validations and remain stored in liquid nitrogen tanks at -170°C.