Moredun Foundation

What Moredun Foundation does

Moredun Foundation is a Scottish-registered charity founded in 1920 by Scottish farmers and headquartered at Pentlands Science Park in Penicuik, United Kingdom. It operates as the parent of the Moredun Group, a vertically integrated set of entities comprising Moredun Research Institute (charitable research), Moredun Scientific Limited (commercial contract research and diagnostics), and Pentlands Science Park Limited (science-park facilities management). The organization's mission is the promotion of livestock health and welfare through scientific research and education, with a focus on infectious and parasitic diseases of farmed livestock including sheep scab, louping ill, ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma, parasitic roundworms, Chlamydia, Toxoplasma, and PRRSV.

Moredun's core technology stack spans reverse vaccinology, recombinant ELISA diagnostic development, organoid-based host-pathogen interaction models, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing for parasite research, MHC tetramer technology for T-cell analysis, and genomic/transcriptomic analysis. Its productized assets include a commercially available Sheep Scab ELISA blood test (98.2% sensitivity, 96.5% specificity; distributed via Biobest, SRUC, and Welsh Veterinary Science Centre), a prototype recombinant Sheep Scab subunit vaccine (70-80% lesion reduction), and a next-generation Louping Ill vaccine in Phase 1 development requiring £720,000 in campaign funding. The commercial pipeline is augmented by an extensive knowledge product: 56+ factsheets covering livestock diseases, distributed via a website, Substack newsletter, social channels, agricultural events, and a 9,000+ farmer/vet membership community.

Revenue is generated through four principal streams: government and competitive research grants (Scottish Government Strategic Research Programme 2022-2027, BBSRC, NERC, NC3Rs, EU Horizon REPRODIVAC and PARAGONE, RDPE); membership subscriptions from 9,000+ farmers and vets; commercial services through Moredun Scientific (diagnostics, contract research, vaccine development support for animal-health industry clients); and donations/crowdfunding (including a £720,000 Louping Ill campaign with £250,000 in match funding). Distribution is both direct (membership, Moredun Scientific) and channel-based (diagnostic labs) within the UK/EU primarily, with international reach through the Pentlands Immunologics US joint venture and academic collaborations in Brazil, Thailand, Denmark, and the United States.

Name

Moredun Foundation

Legal name

The Moredun Foundation

Website

https://moredun.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Moredun Foundation is a Scottish charity founded in 1920 that operates the Moredun Group of livestock health research, diagnostic product, and science-park entities, serving UK farmers, veterinarians, and the animal-health industry with vaccines, ELISA diagnostics, and educational resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veterinary Research and Diagnostics

NAICS

Veterinary Services (541940), Veterinary Services (54194)

SIC

Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Microbiology & Infectious Disease Testing (Culture/PCR/Serology) (HLAMADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Diagnostics & Laboratory Services (Sampling, Necropsy, Disease Investigation) (AFACADAF), Veterinary POCT & Rapid Diagnostics (Animal health rapid tests) (HLAHAOAL), Reference Laboratory Testing (Clinical Pathology & Chemistry) (HLAMADAA)

Keywords

• Livestock health research
• Veterinary diagnostics
• Animal vaccine development
• Contract research services
• Livestock disease education

Headquarters

HQ city

Penicuik

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Government Funding: Moredun receives significant funding from Scottish Government Strategic Research Programme, BBSRC, EU Horizon programmes, and other research councils for its scientific programmes.
2. Membership Programme: 9,000+ farmers and vets pay for membership providing access to exclusive practical animal health advice, resources, and community benefits.
3. Moredun Scientific Commercial Services: Moredun Scientific Limited provides diagnostic services, vaccine development support, and contract research to the animal health industry.
4. Donations and Crowdfunding: Campaign for louping ill vaccine requiring £720,000 for Phase 1 development, with match funding from grouse moor owner (£250,000 pledged).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Moredun Foundation delivers livestock health research, diagnostic products, and educational resources through its subsidiaries. Its commercial offering centres on the Sheep Scab ELISA blood test (distributed via Biobest, SRUC, and Welsh Veterinary Science Centre), contract research and diagnostic services through Moredun Scientific Limited, and a paid membership programme serving over 9,000 farmers and vets with animal health advice, factsheets, and disease resources.

Product overview

Moredun Foundation operates as a research institute focused on livestock health and welfare, comprising three main entities: Moredun Research Institute (core research), Moredun Scientific (commercial services), and Pentlands Science Park (facilities). The organization's product portfolio centers on diagnostic products, notably the commercially available Sheep Scab Blood Test (ELISA), alongside vaccine development programs including a Sheep Scab Vaccine prototype and a Next-Generation Louping Ill Vaccine. Through Moredun Scientific, they offer contract research and diagnostic testing services to the animal health and aquaculture industries. Educational resources include an extensive library of factsheets on livestock diseases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sheep Scab Blood Test (ELISA) A commercially available blood test (ELISA) for diagnosing sheep scab infestation before clinical signs appear. The test detects antibodies (IgG) specific to a recombinant protein from Psoroptes ovis (Pso o 2) with 98.2% sensitivity and 96.5% specificity. Distributed to veterinarians and farmers via Biobest, SRUC, and Welsh Veterinary Science Centre diagnostic labs.
• Louping Ill Next-Generation Vaccine A next-generation Louping Ill virus vaccine in development targeting tick-borne disease of hill sheep and red grouse. Research trials have shown promise and £720,000 is needed for Phase 1, with a £250,000 match funding pledge from a grouse moor owner supporting the campaign.
• Moredun Scientific (Commercial Services) The commercial subsidiary of Moredun providing contract research services, diagnostic testing, and specialised laboratory services to the animal health and aquaculture industries globally.
• Pentlands Science Park (Facilities and Tenancy) A science park facility operated by Moredun Group providing laboratory and research infrastructure, plus a tenant ecosystem, for animal health and life sciences businesses.
• Moredun Foundation Membership Programme A paid membership programme serving 9,000+ farmers and vets with comprehensive, commercially unbiased information on livestock health topics, exclusive practical animal health advice and resources, lobbying support, and access to the Moredun community.
• Livestock Disease Factsheets and Educational Resources Extensive library of factsheets covering livestock diseases including sheep scab, OPA/Jaagsiekte, roundworms, ticks, BVD, Johne's disease, and many other conditions affecting cattle, sheep, and other livestock, distributed as part of the membership programme and publicly accessible resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sheep scab vaccine reduces lesion size by up to 63% and mite numbers by up to 56%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SEFARI GatewaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEFARI Gateway funded the Scotland's AAA sector report alongside HIE, Scottish Enterprise, and SOSE. Moredun Research Institute led the report development through Charlotte Burgess, Head of Business Development.
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHIE co-funded the Scotland's AAA sector baseline assessment report. Represents enterprise agency interest in economic development of the AAA sector in northern Scotland.
• Scottish EnterprisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScottish Enterprise co-funded the AAA sector report and represents the national enterprise agency's interest in growing Scotland's animal health, aquaculture and agritech sector to £25bn by 2035.
• South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOSE co-funded the AAA sector baseline assessment report representing the newest enterprise agency focused on the south of Scotland region.
• The James Hutton InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint report co-author alongside Moredun Research Institute and Scotland's Rural College, combining agricultural and environmental research expertise.
• Scotland's Rural CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint report co-author on Scotland's AAA sector baseline assessment, combining agricultural education and research capabilities.
• Life Sciences Scotland Industry Leadership Group AAA sub-groupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoredun collaborated with this industry leadership subgroup for the AAA sector report development, representing industry voice in sector strategy.
• Pioneer GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohn Mackenzie, Director (Scotland) at Pioneer Group, co-chairs the AAA sub-group and represents private sector innovation perspective in sector development.
• Biobest LaboratoriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBiobest is the primary UK diagnostic laboratory partner distributing the Moredun Sheep Scab ELISA test commercially to veterinarians and farmers.
• SRUCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorScotland's Rural College veterinary laboratory services offers the Moredun Sheep Scab Antibody test as part of its diagnostic portfolio.
• Welsh Veterinary Science CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWVSC distributes the Moredun Sheep Scab ELISA test to Welsh farmers and veterinarians, extending Moredun's diagnostic reach into Wales.
• Midlothian Science ZonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLinda Yuill, Pentlands Science Park Manager, serves as Chair of Midlothian Science Zone. MSZ is a collaborative network of world-leading research institutes, science parks, academic institutions, and businesses focused on animal health, life sciences, and agritech.
• British Horse SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish Horse Society co-funds the Equine Grass Sickness Fellowship Project alongside Moredun and the Equine Grass Sickness Fund, supporting interdisciplinary research into this devastating equine disease.
• University of EdinburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration through Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies on multiple research projects including red squirrel conservation, ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma, and parasitology research.
• University of CopenhagencoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with Søren Buus' lab at University of Copenhagen to generate and characterize MHC tetramers for analyzing T cell responses in swine and cattle.
• Pentlands ImmunologicsminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerJoint venture with New England Animal Health in Vermont, USA, established to provide quality validated immune reagents to the livestock research community.
• New England Animal HealthminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerUS partner in Pentlands Immunologics joint venture for distributing immune reagents for livestock research internationally.
• IntervacccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner with Golde Lab for design and testing of new vaccines for Streptococcus suis in livestock.
• Swedish Veterinary InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with Moredun Golde Lab and Intervacc on Streptococcus suis vaccine development for livestock.
• Tiba BiotechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with Golde Lab on design and testing of new foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) vaccines.
• Chulalongkorn UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration with Golde Lab on PRRSV vaccine development, representing Thailand-based research partnership.
• Game and Wildlife Conservation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeth Wells established networks with GWCT for louping ill vaccine development, working on land management decisions and wildlife/game management approaches.
• Scottish Wildlife TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkshop participant in red squirrel health and disease expert group, contributing to Scottish Squirrel Health Summary report.
• NatureScotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment nature agency represented in red squirrel health workshop and conservation research network development.
• UK Squirrel AccordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partnership which the Scottish squirrel research network could link with for broader UK red squirrel protection efforts.
• Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS)coreTechnology or IntegrationCollaborates with Moredun researchers on Toxoplasma gondii virulence characterization research using bioinformatics approaches.
• University of São PaulocoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational collaboration on BBSRC-FAPESP grant focusing on Toxoplasma gondii virulence characterization across ovine, murine, and human hosts.
• Newcastle UniversitycoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaborates on Toxoplasma gondii virulence research alongside University of São Paulo and BioSS.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• IDEXX Laboratories:
• The Pirbright Institute: UK-based veterinary research institute focused on viral livestock diseases including FMD and PPR. Directly comparable as a publicly-funded, mission-driven research organization working on livestock infectious diseases with vaccine and diagnostic outputs.
• Royal Veterinary College: UK veterinary school with significant research activity in livestock health, parasitology, and infectious disease. Comparable as a mission-driven veterinary research and education institution serving the UK livestock industry.

Direct peers

• SRUC (Scotland's Rural College): Scottish agricultural and veterinary research institution delivering diagnostics, advisory, and applied research. Collaborates with Moredun on AAA sector reporting and distributes its Sheep Scab ELISA — closely aligned mission, geography, and customer base.
• Roslin Institute (University of Edinburgh): Edinburgh-based animal health research institute focused on genetics, genomics, and infectious disease in livestock. Direct Moredun collaboration partner on red squirrel conservation and parasitology — closely comparable in scope and geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/moreduncomms
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Moredun90
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheMoredunFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/moredun-research-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Moredun Foundation