February 11, 2008

Pfizer introduces cost saving solutions for in ovo delivery

Pfizer Animal Health announced the new generation of the Inovoject System can be equipped with two cost saving devices, namely the Embrex Inovoject System Vaccine Saver and Egg Remover System.

Both systems are fully integrated and operate in conjunction with the Inovoject System, without requiring additional labor and providing improved efficiency and profitability.

The Vaccine Saver provides accurate, selective delivery to eggs identified as viable. The identification system utilizes multiple pulsed light scans of each egg, improving identification accuracy and ensuring that all viable eggs are injected.

The Egg Remover System uses a similar candling technology as that used in the Vaccine Saver to identify and remove infertile, early, and mid-dead eggs prior to injection and transfer.

By removing non-viable eggs, the Egg Remover System helps to improve hatch and chick quality. Hatchery operations are improved by reductions in mold load and faster chick processing.

The Embrex Inovoject System delivers a precise, uniform injection to every egg, every time, offering the most versatile and reliable in ovo delivery platform available.

The process and technique utilized to administer in ovo (in egg) vaccines is critical. Inaccurate in ovo delivery of vaccine can lead to an ineffective vaccination and reduced disease protection. The Inovoject System¡¯s innovative design ensures uniform and precise vaccine delivery to each egg.

Between day 17.5 and 19.25 of the bird's 21-day incubation period, eggs in incubation flats are placed into the Inovoject System. A dual needle design injection tooling locates on the egg and punches a hole through the shell with the first needle.

A second needle then descends through this hole delivering a preset volume of vaccine into the egg. The vaccinated eggs are then transferred from incubation flats into hatching baskets using an automated transfer system.

In 2007, Pfizer announced the acquisition of Embrex Inc., an international agricultural biotechnology company known for its Inovoject vaccine-delivery systems.