Merck Animal Health Launches Single-Injection Vaccine AQUAVAC® PD3 in UK and Ireland

Protects Against the Three Most Common Salmon Diseases

MADISON, NEW JERSEY, May 11, 2015 – Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the USA and Canada) today introduced AQUAVAC® PD3, a single-injection vaccine that protects against the three main pathogens affecting salmon in the UK and Ireland. The vaccine protects against pancreas disease—one of the most costly diseases affecting the salmon industry—as well as furunculosis and infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN).

Prior to AQUAVAC PD3, two separate injections were administered to protect fish against pancreas disease and other major salmon diseases. Multiple injections not only increase the workload for fish farmers, but can negatively impact fish welfare and growth due to increased handling and extra feed withdrawal periods.

“AQUAVAC PD3 was developed in response to requests from fish farmers for a combination vaccine that protects against major diseases with a single injection,” said Chris Beattie, Ph.D., Head, Global Aquaculture, Merck Animal Health. “As the global demand for seafood continues to grow, Merck Animal Health is committed to working with our customers to provide innovative solutions such as AQUAVAC PD3, which can help fish farmers save time and increase productivity while protecting against the most common diseases facing the industry.”

Approved indications:

AQUAVAC® PD3 is indicated for the active immunization of Atlantic salmon to:

• Reduce clinical signs (heart lesions and pancreas lesions), viremia, viral shedding and mortality from infection with pancreas disease (SPDV)
• Reduce mortality from infections with infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPNV)
• Reduce mortality from infections with furunculosis (Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida)

Laboratory tests and field trials have demonstrated that AQUAVAC PD3 provides at least 16 months protection against furunculosis and at least 15 months against pancreas disease. In addition, trials have demonstrated a reduction in shedding of salmon pancreas disease virus. Protection against mortality due to IPNV infection has been demonstrated at 4 months in the field.

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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