Merck Animal Health Announces the European Approval of NOBILIS MULTRIVA™ REOm for Use in Chickens
New vaccine reduces viraemia and clinical signs of disease caused by avian reovirus, expanding NOBILIS MULTRIVA portfolio
RAHWAY, N.J., March 27, 2025 – Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), announced that the European Commission has granted the marketing authorization for NOBILIS MULTRIVA™ REOm for use in chickens. This vaccine is approved for the active immunization of chickens for the passive immunization of the progeny of the vaccinated chickens to reduce viraemia and clinical signs of disease caused by avian reovirus (ARV) genotypes 1 and 4. Additionally, cross-protection has been established for ARV genotypes 2, 3 and 5.
The primary dose can be administered intramuscularly in the breast or thigh regions as a single dose from 7 weeks of age onwards. As a booster, it should be administered from 8 weeks of age onwards, but no later than 3 weeks before the onset of lay. The vaccine should be given at least 4 weeks after administration of the primary vaccination.
“Ensuring effective prevention and control of avian reovirus is crucial for successful poultry production,” stated Maxim Nakhodko, Global Poultry Business Unit Lead at Merck Animal Health. “The approval of NOBILIS MULTRIVA™ REOm represents a valuable innovation for our customers, offering protection against one of the most significant viral pathogens affecting laying and breeding chickens.”
ARV is a non-enveloped virus belonging to the Orthoreovirus genus and is present ubiquitously in commercial poultry worldwide. While not all ARV are pathogenic in chickens and turkeys, some virulent strains can cause clinical symptoms in chicken such as viral arthritis and tenosynovitis. ARV can induce other subclinical disorders such as immunosuppression and malabsorption syndrome. ARV impacts overall chick quality and production negatively in the poultry industry. No specific treatment is available for clinical symptoms caused by ARV and affected birds are euthanized. Currently, vaccination followed by proper cleaning and disinfection (C&D) is the only way to minimize the impact by ARV.
About Merck Animal Health
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, producers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. 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 and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
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