Merck Animal Health Announces European Commission Approval of First Intradermal Vaccine against Porcine Circovirus Type 2

Swine Producers Can Now Protect Piglets against Three Major Swine Diseases with Needle-free Intradermal Device

MADISON, N.J., November 4, 2015 – Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada) today announced that the European Commission has approved PORCILIS® PCV ID, an intradermal vaccine against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) that is administered with the needle-free IDAL® vaccine delivery system. With this addition to the company’s line of intradermal vaccines, swine producers will now have access to intradermal needle-free protection against PCV2, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSv), the three major swine diseases affecting pig operations worldwide.

“The skin is a natural defense barrier, containing many essential immune cells and thus making it a very suitable and effective route of vaccine administration,” explains Dr. Ruud Segers, Merck Animal Health Research & Development. “We are focusing our R&D efforts on the development of vaccines that would benefit from being administered intradermally.”

“Animal well-being is important to us. Needle-free vaccination is not only more convenient for producers, but is also less invasive for the animals and prevents accidental spread of disease caused by reusing needles. In addition, the risk of breaking needles is also eliminated,” said Narciso Bento, head of the Global Swine Business Unit. “We are pleased to introduce the first intradermal vaccine against porcine circovirus type 2, and to expand our line of swine vaccines that can be conveniently administered with the IDAL needle-free device.”

PORCILIS PCV ID protects piglets starting two weeks after vaccination and offers 23 weeks of protection, the longest duration of immunity of any porcine circovirus vaccine in the EU market. The vaccine is approved for concurrent use with Merck Animal Health’s PORCILIS M Hyo ID ONCE, which protects piglets against M. hyo infections. Because concurrent infection with PCV2 and M. hyo is present in the vast majority of swine operations worldwide and together they are responsible for severe respiratory disease and production losses, vaccination against both pathogens/diseases is recommended to minimize economic losses.

Results from field studies demonstrate that vaccinating piglets intradermally with PORCILIS® PCV ID results in uninterrupted growth during the nursery period, and improve the daily weight gain and mortality associated with PCV2 infection during the fattening period. When applied concurrently with PORCILIS M Hyo ID ONCE, a further increase in ADWG as well as a reduction of M. hyo-like lung lesion scores at slaughter have been demonstrated.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.

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