Animal health evolves at the same pace as scientific research. More and more veterinarians are looking for complementary tools backed by evidence to improve the quality of life of their patients, and it is in this context that veterinary micotherapy is attracting growing interest.
With more than 25 years of experience researching the therapeutic potential of medicinal mushrooms in human health, the Hifas Group decided to transfer all that knowledge to the veterinary field with the birth of Hifas Vet, a specialized division that develops specific solutions for different species based on science, innovation, and quality.
We spoke with Catalina Fernández from Ana Portela, CEO of the Hifas Group, to learn how this project came about, what micotherapy can bring to current veterinary medicine, and what the future challenges are for a company that relies on research as its main driver of development.
«We didn’t want to adapt human products; we developed a specific line for veterinary medicine»
For those who are not yet familiar with Hifas Vet, how did this project come about and what need did you identify in veterinary medicine?
Hifas Vet was born from a very simple conviction: if for more than 25 years we had demonstrated the therapeutic potential of medicinal fungi in human health, that same knowledge could also help improve the health of animals.
We did not want to adapt human products to the veterinary world. We decided to develop a specific line for veterinary medicine, designed in collaboration with veterinarians, formulated for the physiological needs of each species and backed by the same scientific rigor that characterizes Hifas da Terra.
Our goal has always been to offer natural, effective, and evidence-based tools that complement modern veterinary medicine and help improve the quality of life of animals.
You are talking about a new way of understanding animal health based on mycology. What exactly is veterinary mycology and why is it gaining so much interest?
Mycoterapia consists of the use of standardized extracts of medicinal fungi to modulate physiological functions of the organism such as the immune system, the microbiota, inflammation or the response to oxidative stress.
Today we know that many pathological processes share common biological mechanisms among species. That is why research on the bioactive compounds of fungi is attracting so much interest.
Furthermore, veterinary medicine is evolving towards a much more preventive and personalized approach. Veterinarians are looking for tools that can complement conventional treatments or help maintain health throughout the animal’s life. That’s where micotherapy brings enormous value.
You have been researching the potential of medicinal mushrooms for more than two decades. What did all that experience in human health bring you to take the leap into the veterinary field?
It gave us something fundamental: knowledge.
For more than two decades we have developed our own research, clinical trials, cultivation biotechnology, extraction processes and extremely demanding quality controls.
That scientific knowledge constitutes an innovation platform that we can transfer to the veterinary field by adapting it to each species.
We don’t start from scratch. We start from a solid body of research investigating the mechanisms of action of the compounds present in medicinal fungi, and from a philosophy based on scientific evidence.
«Human health, animal health and environmental health are part of the same system»
What does the concept of One Health mean to you and how does it reflect in your work?
One Health means understanding that human health, animal health, and environmental health are part of the same system.
At Hifas da Terra, we have always worked under that vision. We research organisms that are born in nature to develop innovative solutions for both people and animals, while respecting the ecosystems where they originate.
Research, sustainability, and biodiversity are three inseparable pillars of our work. Caring for animal health also means caring for the environment in which we all live.
One of your major advantages is the development of proprietary ingredients such as Herizumib®. What does having a patented technology mean?
Developing proprietary ingredients means controlling the entire scientific process.
Herizumib® is the result of years of research in strain selection, biotechnological cultivation, extraction, and molecular characterization.
This allows us to guarantee a constant composition, a high concentration of bioactive compounds, and reproducible quality from batch to batch, something essential when seeking a consistent physiological effect.
Innovation does not consist solely in discovering new ingredients, but in ensuring that each animal receives exactly what research has shown can be of benefit.
Your products combine natural ingredients, scientific evidence, and high bioavailability. What is the importance of research in the development of formulas?
For us, research is not the end of the process; it is the starting point.
Each formulation stems from a scientific question and a specific clinical need.
We select species of fungi, analyze their bioactive compounds, study possible synergies, optimize extraction processes, and evaluate bioavailability so that the organism can actually utilize those compounds.
Only in this way can we develop formulas that meet the real needs of veterinarians and owners.
The Hifas Vet range covers areas as important as digestive, immune, joint, dermatological and oncological health. How did you decide to develop such a comprehensive line?
The criterion has always been to respond to the main clinical challenges we see in veterinary practice.
Digestive health, immune function, mobility, skin, and the nutritional support of cancer patients are areas where there is a growing need for complementary strategies backed by evidence.
We do not seek to have many products. We seek to offer specific solutions for situations where science demonstrates that certain mushroom extracts can provide a physiological benefit.
You have also opted for a liquid format that has undergone a biological fermentation process. What advantages does this offer over other presentations?
The liquid biofermented format facilitates administration, especially in animals that reject tablets or capsules.
In addition, it allows for very precise dosing based on the animal's weight and excellent acceptance, which is especially important in veterinary medicine.
Our biofermentation technology also preserves the wealth of metabolites obtained during the biotechnological process, offering a highly functional and very comfortable formulation for everyday use.
«The high-performance horse is an athlete»
Some of your products are also aimed at competition horses. What can mycology offer to competitive horses?
The high-performance horse is an athlete.
It is subjected to significant physical, metabolic, and emotional stress, so maintaining physiological balance is essential to optimize its performance and promote recovery.
At Hifas Vet we wanted to scientifically demonstrate that potential and that’s why we decided to invest directly in competitive horses alongside top riders like Luis Astolfi. We not only develop products; we invest in generating knowledge under real conditions of training and competition.
Our goal is to evaluate how micotherapy can contribute to promoting recovery after exercise, supporting energy metabolism, helping with digestive balance, and modulating the stress response, always as a complement to proper nutrition, training, and veterinary management.
We believe that innovation only has value when it is demonstrated in the field.
Quality and traceability are two fundamental aspects for you. How do you guarantee those standards?
We control the entire value chain.
We select our own strains, develop biotechnological processes, perform analytical controls throughout production, and manufacture under European quality standards.
Each batch is analyzed to verify its identity, purity, and composition before it is released to the market.
When we talk about quality, we’re not just talking about the final product. We’re talking about controlling every step leading up to it.
The demand for natural solutions for animal care continues to grow. How has the perception of veterinarians and owners evolved?
It has evolved enormously.
A few years ago, talking about natural health and mycology was almost a novelty. Today, more and more veterinarians are looking for scientific literature and complementary tools backed by evidence.
The owners have also changed. They understand that prevention, nutrition, and maintaining health are part of the animal's well-being, just as it is in human medicine.
What matters is that this growth is accompanied by scientific rigor. Not everything natural is the same, and that’s why the quality of the raw material, standardization, and research are more important than ever.
Finally, what goals does Hifas Vet set for the coming years?
We want to continue leading research in prevention and natural veterinary health.
Our goal is to expand scientific evidence, develop new biotechnological ingredients, and continue collaborating with veterinarians, hospitals, universities, and research centers.
We also want to promote preventive and personalized medicine in animals, convinced that the future of veterinary medicine lies in integrating science, innovation, and nature.
Ultimately, our ambition is not just to develop better supplements. It is to contribute to transforming the way we understand animal health through scientific evidence and biotechnology.
