Koru Biotech has published a landmark study in the peer‑reviewed journal Animals showing that soluble LPS/IgG immune complexes in milk are strongly linked to severe, early‑lactation mastitis involving Gram‑negative bacteria.
The research — led by Koru scientists Dr Hurst and Dr Pernthaner, with Professor Laven of Massey University — provides the first on‑farm evidence that LPS/IgG complexes spike sharply during acute mastitis and closely mirror inflammatory severity. The complexes were elevated only in Gram‑negative or mixed infections, highlighting their potential as a targeted biomarker.
LPS, or endotoxin, is a potent inflammatory molecule found on Gram‑negative bacteria such as E. coli. The study confirms that when antibodies bind LPS to form immune complexes, these can be detected in milk and provide a measurable link between infection and disease severity.
Koru Biotech Chief Science Officer Dr Tony Pernthaner says the findings validate a breakthrough in mastitis diagnostics:
“This is the strongest field evidence to date that LPS/IgG immune complexes signal Gram‑negative involvement in mastitis. These markers track inflammation and clearly differentiate Gram‑negative and mixed infections from Gram‑positive cases.”
The results support the development of rapid, on‑farm diagnostic tools to identify Gram‑negative mastitis earlier, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and improve herd health. Koru Biotech is progressing its laboratory assay into a rapid antigen test (RAT) format.
Koru Biotech CEO Verne Atmore says the study advances the company’s commercial pipeline:
“This work moves our LPS/IgG platform from discovery into applied validation and strengthens our position as we develop next‑generation diagnostics and non‑antibiotic solutions.”
Koru Biotech is now expanding multi‑herd trials and accelerating translation of its LPS/IgG technology into practical, point‑of‑care tests for farmers.
Published in Animals, January 2026
About Animals
Animals (ISSN 2076-2615) is an international and interdisciplinary scholarly open access journal. It publishes original research articles, reviews and communications that offer substantial new insight into any field of study that involves animals, including zoology, ethnozoology, animal science, animal ethics and animal welfare.
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals/about
This scientific journal ranks in the top publications within the field of Animal Science and Veterinary.
https://research.com/journals-rankings/animal-science-and-veterinary