Pfizer expands access to E. coli vaccine for US cattle

Pfizer Animal Health furthered its commitment to safe food from cattle by announcing a global licensing agreement with Epitopix that will expand access to its conditionally licensed Escherichia Coli Bacterial Extract vaccine to US cattle producers this fall.

The USDA granted a conditional license last year to Epitopix for this first and only Escherichia Coli Bacterial Extract vaccine available in the US. It is labelled for use in cattle to help reduce the prevalence of E. coli O157 in cattle and faeces. This helps to minimise E. coli exposure and infection of herd-mates.

As part of its licensing agreement, Pfizer Animal Health also acquired global rights to Epitopix's conditionally licensed Salmonella Newpor bacterial extract vaccine. Currently available in the US from Agri Laboratories, Ltd., of St. Joseph, Missouri under a USDA conditional license, it will become an exclusive part of Pfizer Animal Health's livestock portfolio in the US beginning in 2011.

Pfizer Animal Health and Epitopix will conduct additional potency and efficacy studies on both vaccines to secure a full license for each from the USDA. Terms of the global licensing agreement were not disclosed.

Epitopix general manager Jim Sandstrom said that by working in close cooperation, the group's mutual aim is to quickly broaden the availability of these important vaccines to the beef and dairy industries, as part of Pfizer Animal Health's comprehensive portfolio of cattle products and services.