February 28, 2008

Merial regains SAPO licence to use viruses for vaccine development
 

Merial has recovered its licence to utilise the bluetongue and FMD viruses at its British Pirbright centre.
 

Merial's SAPO licence was suspended in November 2007 when a leak at the centre led to an outbreak of FMD in Southern England in August 2007.

However, DEFRA has now restored the licence, allowing the company to use the viruses again.

Merial can now recommence production of vaccines against FMD and bluetongue at their Pirbright Centre.

Merial is an international animal health company that produces vaccines for animal diseases.