January 3, 2008

Schering-Plough to focus on aquaculture health in Southeast Asia

Schering-Plough underscored its focus on aquaculture health management throughout Southeast Asia through a series of events and presentations.

As aquaculture is developing at rapid pace in the region, especially now with high demand for tilapia, the company focuses on health management as a vital issue in ensuring continuous production growth.

The company has a longstanding relationship with The World Aquaculture Society (WAS) which hosted this autumn's key event, the WAS Asia - Pacific conference in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Among the key speakers was Schering-Plough's leading immunology and fish vaccine expert, Professor Patrick Smith.

Smith explained how the introduction of vaccine programmes had significantly reduced disease threat and burden across a wide spectrum of species. Disease prevention routines also brought welfare benefits, an issue of increasing global concern.

Vaccination for Streptococcosis in Tilapia is one specific area where prevention programmes are delivering significant protection around the world.

Schering-Plough Regional Technical Manager, Aries Madethen discussed on recent trials using the company's AquaVac Garvetil and AquaVac Garvetil Oral vaccines.

The research, conducted in Latin America and Asia, is part of the company's Total Protection Strategy, a tailored programme to prevent disease through appropriate vaccination.