Animals have been utilized extensively as part and parcel of pharmaceutical
and vaccine development. Many studies from animal models for human diseases have
re-affirmed inventions in the field of medicine. Animal nutraceuticals of biological
origin have marked exceptional promise by enhancing the production and performance
of commercial animals. Transgenic animals have helped transform laboratory-scale
developments into clinical applications. The nutraceutical potential of animal products
is a fascinating area of research with considerable anti-microbial, anti-cancer, antiinflammatory,
anti-diabetic and neuroprotective functions. Vaccines in veterinary
sciences have been revolutionized based on the efficacy demonstrated by animal
models. Vaccines are being routinely used against bacteria, viruses and some parasites
at commercial levels. Third-generation vaccines that were thought to be very expensive in the last century are now being commercially produced and marketed worldwide for
animal health. Most recently, many avenues have opened that encourage the use of
biologically derived pharmaceuticals and vaccine products. This chapter deals with a
very comprehensive contrast of history and recent trends in veterinary pharmaceuticals
and vaccines. It concludes that more research focus is required to come up with more
efficient treatment and prophylactic approaches amidst mutating pathogens of concern.
Keywords: Animal peptides and proteins, Nutraceutics, Passive immunization,
Pharmaceutics, Vaccines.
