MSD Animal Health to purchase Harrisvaccines

MSD Animal Health has bolstered its vaccines portfolio with the acquisition of Harrisvaccines.

The privately-held company develops, manufactures and sells vaccines for food production and companion animals, utilising its unique RNA particle technology and a highly versatile production platform capable of targeting a wide range of viruses and bacteria.

With this technique, pathogens are collected from a farm and specific genes sequenced and inserted into RNA particles, allowing for the production of safe, potent vaccines that can provide herd-specific protection.

This system is rapidly adaptable to new disease challenges and was instrumental in producing the first conditionally licensed vaccine to help control the porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus.

Rick DeLuca, president of MSD Animal Health, said the deal "will enable us to address even more devastating diseases that are impacting production animals, and reinforce our commitment to the science of healthier animals".

MSD Animal Health received EU approval for Porcilis PCV ID, the first intradermal vaccine against porcine circovirus type 2, earlier this month.