MSD Animal Health Brings Novel Poultry Vaccine INNOVAX®-ND-SB (or INNOVAX® ND) to India

Vaccine Provides Immunity Against Newcastle and Marek’s Disease 

MSD Animal Health (known as Merck Animal Health in USA and Canada) today announced the introduction of INNOVAX®-ND-SB (or INNOVAX®-ND) in India. INNOVAX®-ND-SB (or INNOVAX®-ND) is an innovative single-dose recombinant vaccine, based on an HVT-vector, to protect poultry against two potentially devastating diseases: Newcastle disease and Marek’s disease (MD).

Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most costly diseases for poultry producers throughout the world. The cause of ND is a Paramyxo virus. Depending on the virulence of the ND virus strain the clinical signs can differ from subclinical disease leading to respiratory problems to widespread mortality and drops in egg production. Conventional ND vaccination programs consist of vaccination with live, followed by inactivated ND vaccines

Marek’s disease is a disease which is present worldwide and is caused by a herpesvirus. There are generally two forms of Marek’s disease. The first, also called (classical) polyneuritis form, affects young birds (<16 weeks of age) and results in paralysis and mortality mostly from 5 – 6 weeks of age onwards. The second, also called “Acute Marek’s disease” is seen in birds older than 16 weeks of age. Infection results in tumors, high mortality and immunosuppression.

INNOVAX®-ND-SB (or INNOVAX®-ND) is conveniently administered in the hatchery either by in ovo application at 18 days of incubation or to chickens by subcutaneous injection at day of hatch.

“In case of high field infection pressure of ND, INNOVAX®-ND-SB (or INNOVAX®-ND) can conveniently be combined with live conventional ND in the hatchery,” explains Delair Bolis, MSD Animal Health Global Poultry. “Best of all INNOVAX®-ND-SB (or INNOVAX®-ND) causes no vaccination reactions, does not require a second dose and often eliminates the need for additional field vaccination.”

INNOVAX®-ND-SB (or INNOVAX®-ND) vaccine is safe and effective when used according to the label, offering a high-level of protection against ND and Mareks’ disease with a long protection period, eliminating the need for revaccination.

For more information, go to www.innovax-vaccines.com.

About MSD Animal Health
Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. MSD Animal Health, known as Merck Animal Health in the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. MSD Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. MSD Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. MSD Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com.

Merck Forward-Looking Statement
This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger between Merck and Schering-Plough, including future financial and operating results, the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Merck’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the possibility that all of the expected synergies from the merger of Merck and Schering-Plough will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; Merck’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; dependence on the effectiveness of Merck’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation and/or regulatory actions.

Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Merck’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).