The first batch of bluetongue vaccines has finally been released to supply Northern European countries.

The animal health company, combining after the acquisition in 2007 the strength of Intervet and Schering-Plough Animal Health, is not only the world market leader in the production of animal health vaccines, but is also one of the world’s leaders in the field of animal health.

“Within the animal health sector, there has been a recent emphasis on prevention rather than treatment”, says Dr Ruurd Stolp, Senior Vice President and President Animal Health. “Our goal is to develop innovative vaccines that address unmet needs and improve disease protection as well as the duration of that protection. When animal diseases are not prevented, the social economic and environmental costs to humans are potentially significant.” One prominent example is bluetongue disease, a devastating disease of ruminants that emerged in Northern Europe since the summer of 2006. The new combined animal health unit is uniquely positioned to respond to this need and to deliver effective and timely care.

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has now released the first batch of bluetongue vaccine for sheep and cattle, Bovilis BTV8, fulfilling firm orders received from a number of countries within Europe. Stolp: “We put great effort into the development of our safe and efficacious Bovilis BTV8 vaccine to meet the urgent need as quickly as possible and we are pleased that production is on track, so that we are able to deliver the first amounts of vaccine before the actual start of the “midge season”.

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has developed the Bovilis BTV8 vaccine within a very short period of time. It has been two years since the emergence of the virus in Northern Europe. The company supplies Bovilis BTV8 vaccine to a number of European countries. At this moment the supply is in balance with the confirmed orders and undecided tender applications.

“While the development of effective disease prevention is important, veterinarians also need innovative treatments for a wide variety of diseases. The combination strengthens our innovation-driven, science-centred approach and allows us to complete our broad pharmaceutical segment and to focus on growth opportunities, geographically or in certain product categories and key species segments. As a global leader in animal vaccines we are concerned with the global health issues and are in a position to take a leadership role in helping to control some threatening infectious diseases,” said Dr Stolp.

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