Intervet develops prototype for mass application avian influenza vaccine
A biotech breakthrough achieved by Akzo Nobel's animal health business, Intervet, means that mass application of a dual vaccine against avian influenza and Newcastle Disease could be available in the near future. Together with scientists at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI) in Germany, Intervet has developed a prototype for a new generation vaccine offering protection against both infections which can be mass applied by spraying instead of injecting.
The new prototype vaccine consists of a safe live vaccine against Newcastle Disease (a condition affecting many bird species), which acts as a carrier for the haemagglutinin gene-the vital genetic material needed to build immunity against the avian influenza virus.
The new vaccine-which is scheduled to undergo field trials next year-can also be used on large numbers of birds as an efficient marker vaccine to help differentiate between infected and vaccinated birds.
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