June 14, 2007

Intervet's aquatic animal health team saves a product through quick thinking 
 

An Intervet aquatic animal health team has saved a product through quick thinking and being a little bit more "unconventional in their approach.

The company's product US - AQUAVAC-ESC, was marketed to the aquaculture industry to prevent Edwardsciella ictaluri, a bacteria that causes catfish disease.

It was first launched in the USA in 2000 and was effective and profitable for some time. But the freeze-drying process, which took a week, meant that other Intervet products could not use the freeze dryer. Thus leading to the gradual phasing out of the product.

Two years ago, Intervet vice-president Steve Ellsworth urged the company to save the product or lose the aquaculture market. Efforts were then made to consolidate the expertise in the company and a dateline was set to come up with the product in 8 months.

While freezing the vaccine was easy, storing the vaccine was not. Even at -20 deg C, the vaccines became ineffective after a week. It was discovered that the vaccine need to be stored at -70 deg C. However, as most customers would not have the equipment to store the vaccine at such low temperatures, a new solution was needed.

Instead of getting customers to come to buy from the company, the company sought to store their vaccines in the middle of fish-farming country - in Western Mississippi. Farmers can buy the vaccines, store it at the company at -70 deg C and use them as needed or store it at their own facilities for up to a week at -20 deg C.   

While the project did have to overcome some time constraints, it scored a success with customers. Moreover, freezing the vaccine resulted in more doses per vial than freeze-drying. The new version also appeared to be more effective than the original, based on preliminary tests.

"Sometimes big improvements can be had with minimal changes, especially when people 'think outside the box'," said Wayne Katt, a Senior Production Supervisor.