Production of Thermo-stable Newcastle disease vaccine Nepal Poultry consumption is on the rise in Nepal, although still low compared to neighbouring countries. An estimated 230 million chicken are raised in backyards every year. Seventy percent of the total stock dies in the rainy season due to avian flu (AF) and Newcastle disease (ND). The major poultry farms (producing another 70 million chicken) are able to vaccinate their stock. Because Newcastle vaccines are thermos-unstable, they cannot be used in remote areas where the majority of Nepal’s rural population lives. Paid for by the Australian Government, a thermo stable ND vaccine was developed in Australia. This vaccine survives thirty days of tropical temperatures and is affordable for smallholders. The local partner, Intrepid Nepal Pvt. Ltd is a company of thirty highly qualified employees that focuses on Molecular Diagnostics Platforms. Their area of work is detection of pathogens, human and animal. One of their activities is epidemical research. In this way, they got a clear picture of the ND problem and decided to produce this thermos-stable vaccine using the Australian seeds, that are non-commercially available. In the poultry production chain, such a vaccine is the missing link. As this is to be the first commercial production of a vaccine from this seed, the Australian government is eager to facilitate this by providing expertise and seeds free of costs. USAID and an NGO have already pledged to buy thermos-stable vaccine for seven million chicken and resell them to smallholders. The business includes diagnosing whether it makes sense to vaccinate in a certain area, determining the ND strain rampant and the production of the vaccine itself. In order to get sufficient starting capital, they were introduced to the applicant by Dutch businessmen active in Nepal. The applicant, Aleven B.V., is an asset manager that invests on behalf of his Dutch clients in food and health related companies in Nepal, Georgia and the Philippines. The other project partner, One to Watch B.V., is a developer of Nepali companies active in food and health. The three partners will start a joint venture that enables Intrepid to start the production of vaccine on their premises.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)All jobs are high level, and there is no risk of maltreating staff.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsExtensive training, competitive salaries and shares for highly qualified people.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeNepal is the first country to produce this thermo-stable vaccine commercially. The Australian government provides expertise free of costs. For the production of vaccines, Intrepid has an agreement with an US university and an US company to train their staff.•	Chain effectsImpact on local suppliersNot applicable.Impact on local customers or consumersDuring the monsoon season, 70% of back yard poultry stock dies, mostly due to AI and NCD. Back yard farmers do not have access to thermo unstable vaccines. With this vaccine, mortality can be reduced to 20% to 30%.•	Impact on the sectorMany NGOs and Developing Agencies are fighting malnutrition in Nepal. USAID and some foreign NGOs have been supporting the development of a proper poultry chain for the last ten years. Vaccination is the missing link for production at “the base of the pyramid”. The traditional vaccines do not survive distribution in the rural areas. Therefore, the NGOs and USAID have pledged to resell vaccination for an initial 7 million back yard chickens.•	Position of womenMost Nepali women in rural areas have backyard chickens for consumption and cash.•	Impact on food safetyPoultry is an imported source of protein for many persons at the base of the pyramid. To produce vaccine for seven million chicken in the laboratory of Intrepid.