May 24, 2012

US Approves Merck's ZUPREVOâ„¢Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) Treatment

Press release

Merck Animal Health announces the US approval of ZUPREVOâ„¢ (tildipirosin) - a new macrolide antibiotic for the management of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) that offers excellent combination of effectiveness and convenience.

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ZUPREVO is indicated for the treatment of BRD associated with Mannheimiahaemolytica, Pasteurellamultocida and Histophilussomni, and for the control of respiratory disease in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with these bacterial pathogens commonly associated with respiratory disease in cattle.

"BRD is the world's most common and costly beef cattle disease, taking a substantial toll annually on animal health, productivity and welfare," said Dr Joseph Roder, anti-infectives marketing manager for Merck Animal Health."

"ZUPREVO gets its combination of effectiveness, bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity from its unique 16-membered, tribasic molecular structure. The macrolides inhibit protein synthesis at the ribosomal level. Because of its structure, ZUPREVO offers prolonged concentration in lung tissue (site of action) and bronchial fluids, and rapid absorption in the system," says Dr Markus Rose, senior development manager at Merck Animal Health#.

According to studies, tildipirosin is shown to be rapidly absorbed from the site of injection, reaching peak plasma concentrations in just 45 minutes, and yields higher and more persistent plasma concentrations.

Tildipirosin also has the lowest single dose volume of any BRD treatment available - 1 mL per 100 lbs of bodyweight, subcutaneously, with a maximum injection volume of 10 mL per injection site - which means fewer injections in large animals. It's highly soluble and the formulation is easy to inject, even in cold temperatures. ZUPREVO offers a withdrawal time at 21 days, as registered in the US.

ZUPREVO was officially launched in the US in May 2012 and it is currently also available in Europe.