Mileutis and Yotvata Dairy strengthen collaboration on milk quality improvement and antimicrobial resistance research in the dairy sector.
Mileutis and Yotvata Dairy Farm have announced the launch of a new phase in their cooperation, expanding the use of biologic alternatives to antibiotics in dairy production and initiating a long-term research program focused on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The expanded collaboration follows the results of an earlier clinical trial that demonstrated a reduction in antibiotic use alongside improvements in milk quality.
The program is being implemented at Yotvata Dairy Farm, part of the Strauss Group, with Groupe Danone holding a minority ownership stake. According to the companies, the decision to scale up the project reflects both the outcomes of previous trials and the growing global focus on sustainability and antibiotic stewardship in livestock production.
Earlier joint research by Mileutis and Yotvata assessed the use of IMILAC™, a biologic, milk-derived therapy, as an alternative to routine antibiotic treatments during the dry period. The results indicated that the approach could reduce antibiotic usage while maintaining herd health and supporting milk quality and yield. These findings provided the basis for expanding the experiment into broader commercial conditions.
In the new phase, Mileutis’ IMILAC™ and MILAC™ therapies are being introduced across the full lactation cycle. The partners aim to evaluate their impact on productivity, udder health, and overall farm performance in real-world settings. In parallel, a dedicated research track has been launched to examine how the replacement of antibiotics with biologic treatments may influence the long-term development of antimicrobial resistance.
Antimicrobial resistance remains a major global challenge, with livestock production estimated to account for a significant share of total antibiotic consumption worldwide. The partners note that reducing routine antibiotic use in dairy herds could help lower selective pressure for resistant bacteria while still meeting production and animal welfare requirements.
“This next phase with Yotvata represents a milestone for both of our organizations and for the dairy industry at large,” said David Javier Iscovich, co-founder and CEO of Mileutis. “By advancing the collaboration significantly, we can deeply evaluate how biologic therapies not only improve milk quality and reduce antibiotic reliance but help address the global challenge of AMR. This work is essential for creating a more sustainable and resilient dairy future.”
The expanded program is also expected to generate more comprehensive datasets related to sustainability indicators, including greenhouse gas emissions per unit of milk produced and long-term herd performance. According to the companies, such data are increasingly important as dairy producers face rising expectations from regulators, customers, and investors.
From Yotvata’s perspective, the cooperation aligns with its Sustainable Dairy initiatives. Ram Srugo, CEO of Yotvata Dairy from the Strauss Group, noted that the collaboration supports efforts to improve animal welfare and milk quality while responding to broader environmental and public health concerns.
At farm level, managers involved in the project report that the integration of biologic, residue-free therapies into daily operations provides additional tools to manage udder health and reduce dependence on antibiotics. Eli Dayan, manager of Yotvata farm, highlighted the practical importance of solutions that can be used routinely without leaving residues in milk. Reuven Pinko, manager of Neve Harif farm, also pointed to the relevance of non-antibiotic approaches in maintaining productivity while addressing long-term industry challenges.
IMILAC™ and MILAC™ are part of Mileutis’ broader portfolio of peptide-based biologic therapies designed to support milk quality, animal welfare, and reduced antibiotic use in dairy production. The company states that its focus is on developing residue-free solutions that can be integrated into existing farm management systems.
Mileutis is an Israel-based biopharmaceutical company working on biologic alternatives to antibiotics for dairy farming. Yotvata Dairy Farm is one of Israel’s major dairy producers and participates in international sustainability initiatives through the Strauss Group and its partnerships with global dairy companies.
The expanded cooperation between Mileutis and Yotvata reflects a wider industry trend toward evaluating non-antibiotic approaches under commercial conditions, as dairy producers seek to balance productivity, animal health, and long-term sustainability.
News Courtesy: Dairynews