Merck Animal Health Receives Positive Opinion from European Medicines Agency for Mixed Use of NOBILIS® IB 4-91 and NOBILIS® IB Ma5 for Poultry

Mixed Use of Vaccines Will Enhance Protection Against Infectious Bronchitis Virus

MADISON, N.J., March 20, 2015 – Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) of the European Medicines Agency has adopted a positive opinion for the mixed use of NOBILIS® IB 4-91 and NOBILIS IB Ma5 for poultry 1 day-old onwards. 

The vaccines protect poultry against a wide range of infectious bronchitis variant viruses, one of the major poultry pathogens in Europe. If adopted, the new labeling for combination use of the vaccines will provide producers in Europe with a unique convenient and efficient option for extending protection against the virus. 

“Infectious bronchitis virus can lead to respiratory disease, kidney problems and drops in egg production, causing significant economic losses for poultry producers,” said Dr. Rik Koopman, Merck Animal Health Technical Director. “We are committed to providing a comprehensive range of solutions for poultry producers, and are pleased to offer the mixed use of NOBILIS IB 4-91 and NOBILIS IB Ma5 for poultry 1 day-old onwards to enhance protection of their flocks.” 

Mixed use of the vaccines will provide an extension of Merck Animal Health’s PROTECTOTYPE™ poultry vaccination program, a proven approach for managing the occurrence of multiple sero-types of infectious bronchitis virus in broiler, breeder and layer flocks. The program maximizes protection against infectious bronchitis through the combination of individual vaccines. The resulting cross protection also helps ensure healthier flocks with better performance, increased uniformity, and improved gain and feed performance.

Details of the product will be described in the summary of product characteristics (SPC) which will be published in the European public assessment report (EPAR) and will be available after the marketing authorization has been granted by the European Commission.

About Merck Animal Health
Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck 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. Merck 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 or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter at @MerckAH.

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