Company Description
ImmuCell Corporation (Nasdaq: ICCC) is an animal health company in the pharmaceutical preparation manufacturing industry. According to company disclosures, its purpose is to create scientifically proven and practical products that improve the health and productivity of dairy and beef cattle. ImmuCell develops, manufactures and markets products that are designed to address key health challenges in cattle herds.
The company manufactures and markets the First Defense® product line, which it describes as providing Immediate Immunity™ to newborn dairy and beef calves. First Defense® is based on proprietary colostrum hyper-immunization technology, and ImmuCell states that this technology underpins a range of products focused on scours prevention in calves. The company reports that First Defense® has a strong position in the U.S. scours-prevention market, citing a #1 ranking for scour-prevention in the 2025 Hoard’s Dairyman Continuing Market Study and a 29% share of U.S. spend on scours prevention.
ImmuCell has also invested in the development of Re-Tain®, which it has described as a novel treatment for subclinical mastitis in dairy cows without FDA-required milk discard or pre-slaughter withdrawal label restrictions that provides an alternative to traditional mastitis antibiotics. Re-Tain® has been in the late stages of development and subject to a New Animal Drug Application (NADA) process with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company has pursued a manufacturing approach that involves producing the active pharmaceutical ingredient in its own facility and using a contract manufacturer for aseptic filling.
In December 2025, ImmuCell announced that it had received an FDA Incomplete Letter for the Re-Tain® NADA related to inspectional deficiencies at its contract manufacturer. After evaluating the implications of the resulting delays and the pending expiration of its contract with that manufacturer, ImmuCell decided to pause further investment in Re-Tain® and to increase its investment in its First Defense® franchise. The company indicated that it plans to complete ongoing investigational studies for Re-Tain® to assess opportunities for improved claims and to seek licensing or partnership options that would not require additional in-house manufacturing investment.
ImmuCell reports that it is expanding its commercial and manufacturing focus around First Defense®. The company has described initiatives such as increasing its First Defense® field sales force, creating new domestic sales territories, hiring an international business development executive or senior dairy executive to support international strategy, and implementing multi-year manufacturing improvement programs to lower product costs, improve yields and expand capacity. It has also discussed repurposing facilities and equipment originally associated with Re-Tain® to expand First Defense® manufacturing capacity.
Within its First Defense® franchise, ImmuCell discloses branded product lines such as Tri-Shield® First Defense® and Dual-Force® First Defense®. Recent company reports highlight growth in Tri-Shield® sales and a migration from Dual-Force® products, along with the acquisition of new dairy and beef customers seeking protection for their calves. The company has also referenced manufacturing improvements that increased output of its lyophilization process and efforts to further enhance manufacturing capacity over time.
ImmuCell’s public communications emphasize its focus on scientifically supported animal health products, its role in improving cattle productivity, and its intention to align capital and manufacturing resources with what it views as its highest-return opportunities, particularly the First Defense® product line. The company’s securities are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol ICCC.
Business segments and focus areas
Based on prior descriptions and recent updates, ImmuCell’s activities center on:
- Calf scours prevention: First Defense® products, including Tri-Shield® and Dual-Force®, aimed at providing Immediate Immunity™ to newborn dairy and beef calves.
- Mastitis treatment development: Re-Tain®, a late-stage, novel treatment candidate for subclinical mastitis in dairy cows, for which the company has paused further direct investment while exploring licensing or partnership options.
- Manufacturing and capacity expansion: Internal production of active ingredients, use of contract manufacturers for certain processes, and repurposing of assets to expand First Defense® capacity.
Regulatory and market context
ImmuCell’s products and product candidates are subject to regulation by U.S. agencies. The company has noted that First Defense® is based on proprietary colostrum technology and that Re-Tain® has been under FDA review as a New Animal Drug Application. The company has highlighted that Re-Tain® is intended as an alternative to traditional antibiotics for subclinical mastitis, without FDA-required milk discard or pre-slaughter withdrawal label restrictions, and that it has received Complete Letters for four of five technical sections required for NADA approval, with manufacturing-related issues at a contract manufacturer identified as the remaining hurdle before the strategic shift in focus.
ImmuCell has also referenced the estimated worldwide total addressable market for preventing scours in calves and has expressed its belief that the First Defense® franchise has significant revenue and profit growth capacity. It has discussed opportunities to expand sales internationally and to develop new products by using the antibody-rich and bioactive properties of colostrum.
Capital structure and exchange listing
ImmuCell Corporation is incorporated in Delaware and its common stock, with a par value of $0.10 per share, is registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and trades on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the trading symbol ICCC. The company has disclosed various financing arrangements, including a line of credit and term loans with Maine Community Bank, as well as refinancing activities and related security interests in its assets.
Strategic direction
Recent company announcements describe a strategic change in focus toward maximizing the value of the First Defense® franchise and away from direct, capital-intensive commercialization of Re-Tain®. This includes reallocating resources, expanding the sales force, enhancing manufacturing capacity for First Defense®, and continuing investigational Re-Tain® studies to support potential licensing or partnership arrangements. Management commentary emphasizes a disciplined approach to assessing the best use of assets and a focus on long-term growth of the First Defense® product line.