Merck Animal Health Receives Marketing Authorization from European Commission for NOBILIS® IB Primo QX for Chickens

First Vaccine to Use SPHEREON®Technology Now Available

SUMMIT, NEW JERSEY, September 15, 2014 – Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the USA and Canada) today announced that, following a positive opinion from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP), the European Commission has granted the marketing authorization for the veterinary medicinal product NOBILIS® IB Primo QX to protect chickens against viral infectious bronchitis caused by QX-like variants of infectious bronchitis virus.
NOBILIS IB Primo QX will be the first vaccine developed using SPHEREON® technology in the EU, which freeze-dries live vaccines to small, highly soluble particles (spheres) that allow for packaging in light-weight aluminum cups in convenient dose sizes. The spheres produced by SPHEREON technology dissolve easily and quickly for improved preparation and administration of the vaccine.
“We are pleased that the European Commission has approved NOBILIS IB Primo QX,” said Ian Tarpey, Executive Director, Global Poultry R&D, Merck Animal Health. “The QX strain of infectious bronchitis virus has become increasingly common, and NOBILIS IB Primo QX will be an important tool for producers due to its proven efficacy and its easy administration method.”
NOBILIS IB Primo QX is given to chickens from one day of age or older by spraying onto the chickens or by applying by eye-drop, and provides protection for eight weeks. The vaccine can be mixed with NOBILIS IB Ma5 to provide additional protection against Massachusetts strains of the infectious bronchitis virus.
For more information about NOBILIS IB Primo QX for chickens, visit our website or contact your Merck Animal Health sales representative.

About Merck Animal Health

Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals™, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. 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 or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter at @MerckAH.

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