Merck Animal Health reports that the USDA has approved the manufacturing and sale of Cambridge Technologies’ experimental autogenous vaccine in the US for the emerging and deadly avian metapneumovirus type B, impacting broilers, broiler breeders, layers and turkey breeders.
“Avian metapneumovirus causes severe respiratory challenges leading to increased mortality rates and drops in egg production in affected flocks,” said Ivan Alvarado, DVM, innovation discovery livestock technical services for Merck Animal Health.
He added the novel vaccines developed by Cambridge Technologies stimulate immunity with the right antigenic concentration.
“Due to the use of oil and water emulsion, these vaccines have demonstrated low tissue reaction in birds following vaccination, which has been associated with less adverse effects on bodyweight gain and uniformity,” Alvarado explained.
Merck Animal Health entered into an agreement in April 2024 with Cambridge Technologies, an independent custom vaccine company based in Worthington, Minnesota, to act as Cambridge’s exclusive sales agent for its innovative autogenous poultry vaccines in the US.
According to Merck, Cambridge Technologies uses cutting-edge molecular diagnostic and manufacturing techniques to develop custom vaccine solutions to help veterinarians and poultry producers manage emerging disease challenges. As part of the agreement, Merck Animal Health provides its expansive customer reach.
Cambridge Technologies vaccines are formulated and produced at its USDA-licensed, 37,000-square-foot manufacturing facility featuring state-of-the-art fermentation, virus production and fill suites.
To learn more about custom vaccine products, including the latest vaccines for metapneumovirus type B, contact your Merck Animal Health technical services representative.
Merck Animal Health is known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey.
Editor’s note: Content on Modern Poultry’s Industry Insights pages is provided and/or commissioned by our sponsors, who assume full responsibility for its accuracy and compliance.
