Merck Animal Health Receives Marketing Authorization from the European Medicines Agency for PORCILIS® PCV M Hyo ID, an Intradermal Vaccine for Use in Swine
New vaccine protects against two of the most common swine diseases, while offering animal-friendly and efficient administration through IDAL® device technology
Rahway, NJ, Sept. 25, 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), today announced that the European Medicines Agency has granted the marketing authorization in the European Union for PORCILIS® PCV M Hyo ID, a ready-to-use intradermal vaccine that offers protection against two of the most common swine pathogens: Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo). PORCILIS PCV M Hyo ID will be available in markets during the first quarter of 2025.
With this approval, PORCILIS PCV M Hyo ID is now the seventh swine vaccine from Merck Animal Health that is administered through intradermal, needle-free application with IDAL® technology. The innovative vaccine was formulated by combining M. hyo, and PCV2 in a single shot at a low volume (0.2 mL).
“The approval of PORCILISPCV M Hyo ID is an outstanding achievement for our company and serves as a pivotal milestone in our efforts to pioneer a holistic approach to pig healthcare that positively impacts swine production globally,” said Rika Jolie, Head of Global Marketing Swine, Merck Animal Health. “Preventive care is crucial for improving the health and welfare of pigs, and this vaccine and its compatibility with IDAL technology allows for animal-friendly, efficient vaccination efforts that support total pig health.”
The diseases caused by PCV2 and M. hyo are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in piglet populations.Concurrent infection of PCV2 and M. hyo can cause severe respiratory disease and lung lesions. PORCILIS PCV M Hyo ID allows farmers to vaccinate piglets against both infectious agents at once, while also providing efficiency, convenience and flexibility. The vaccine is also more sustainable compared to intramuscular vaccines, with less packaging, waste and transport and lower cold chain volume requirements.
PORCILIS PCV M Hyo ID is compatible for mixing with PORCILIS® LAWSONIA ID. It can also be co-administered with PORCILIS® PRRS for greater disease protection as a single injection using the IDAL Twin device. Administration through the IDAL® device offers key animal welfare benefits including less pain and stress for pigs, reduced risk for iatrogenic transmission of pathogens between pigs, reduced tissue damage and no risk of broken needles.
“This vaccine is so innovative because we can now combine the PCV and M hyo antigens into a safe and efficacious formulation in a volume as small as 0.2 ml while still providing a long duration of immunity and retaining the compatibility with our existing PORCILIS LAWSONIA ID vaccine,” said Maarten Witvliet, Ph.D., senior principal scientist, swine R&D, Merck Animal Health.
For a summary of product characteristics, visit https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/porcilis-pcv-m-hyo-epar-product-information_en.pdf.
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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