Intervet to begin development of Sphereon technology

Intervet Schering-Plough Animal Health will begin development of its Sphereon vaccine tools, it has been announced.

The technology – described by the company as providing “easy and quick dissolution” – freeze-dries live poultry vaccines into small, highly soluble particles.

It is to be developed at the organisation’s new manufacturing facility in Boxmeer, Holland, which was opened by Gerda Verburg, Dutch minister for agriculture, nature and food quality.

Ruud Aerdts, head of Intervet Schering-Plough Animal Health’s global poultry business unit, said the group was “very excited” about the introduction of the technology.

“With the Sphereon project, we have actually re-thought the whole concept of vaccine production, away from the traditional freeze-dried cake in a glass vial.”

He added the finished item has “major advantages” for the poultry industry.

In October, Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health said it had launched Leventa, an oral treatment for hypothyroidism in dogs.

The company has offices in over 50 countries and sells products in more than 140 markets.