Merck Animal Health Announces Launch and Availability of NOBIVAC® NXT Rabies in Canada
First-of-its-kind line of vaccines leverages state-of-the-art RNA-particle technology to protect cats and dogs from rabies
RAHWAY, N.J., June 17, 2024 – 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 today the launch and availability of the NOBIVAC® NXT Rabies portfolio – consisting of NOBIVAC® NXT Feline-3 Rabies and NOBIVAC® NXT Canine-3 Rabies – in Canada as part of the company’s ongoing dedication to rabies protection.
The NOBIVAC NXT rabies portfolio is a first-of-its-kind line of vaccines that leverages state-of-the-art Ribonucleic acid (RNA)-particle technology to protect cats and dogs from rabies. With this technology, the vaccines, which are composed of RNA particles, stimulate both the humoral and cell-mediated immune response. The new NOBIVAC NXT vaccines are adjuvant and preservative free to support optimal safety while protecting dogs and cats against this deadly disease.
“As a company deeply rooted in innovation and the discovery and development of medicines and vaccines that contribute to the health and wellbeing of animals, Merck Animal Health is proud to offer a safe, protective solution for veterinary professionals in Canada to administer to dogs and cats,” said Zach Xu, executive director, Companion Animal Bio R&D, Merck Animal Health. “Novel vaccine technologies, such as the NOBIVAC NXT platform, can play a pivotal role in contributing to the improvements in the health and safety of animals by targeting specific disease risks, while providing veterinary professionals with a customized approach to protect pets against a wide range of viral and bacterial pathogens.”
Protection against rabies is imperative. It is a viral zoonotic disease – primarily spread to humans and pets through bites and scratches from an infected animal – and is deadly if medical care is not received before symptoms appear. While there continues to be advances in the development of safe and efficacious vaccines and technologies to protect against rabies, the disease continues to kill tens of thousands of people around the world each year due to under vaccination and lack of preventive care.
“Rabies is one of the deadliest global diseases for companion animals and humans, yet it is highly avoidable through routine vaccination,” said Ivan Mateus DVM, companion animal marketing manager, Merck Animal Health. “That’s why at Merck Animal Health, we stress the importance of taking the preventive measure to vaccinate pets to protect against this deadly disease. With the new NOBIVAC NXT technology, veterinarian professionals can address animal health issues such as rabies quickly and safely, while preventing significant spread of the disease.”
Beyond its continued commitment to enhance and provide safe, efficacious vaccines to protect against rabies, Merck Animal Health, the maker of NOBIVAC vaccines, is committed to making a difference. For more than 25 years, Merck Animal Health has been supporting the Afya Program – a global non-profit initiative that provides rabies vaccines for use in developing regions that desperately need care. The company has dedicated full support behind the humanitarian efforts of its global partners, including Rabies Free Africa and Mission Rabies, and their goal of eliminating canine-mediated rabies. As a result, over five million dogs have been vaccinated in countries around the world since 2013.
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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