October 1, 2019

Boehringer Ingelheim obtains European authorisation for porcine parvovirus vaccine

After obtaining a marketing authorisation from the European Commission, Boehringer Ingelheim has launched Reprocyc^® ParvoFLEX - a new porcine parvovirus vaccine to protect swine fetuses against transplacental infection caused by porcine parvovirus (PPV) - in selected countries within the European Union, the company announced on October 1.

PPV is a reproductive disease present in most of the pig farms worldwide. It causes fetal death, particularly mummification of fetuses, and is associated with other reproductive disorders.

Many vaccines against PPV are available in the market. However, Reprocyc^® ParvoFLEX is a sub-unit vaccine based on a more recent isolate from 2001 (strain 27a) that uses a manufacturing technology of baculovirus expression system (also used with Ingelvac CircoFLEX^®) to express one region of the virus (VP2 region) where most of the immune response is targeted, Boehringer explained.

Reprocyc^® ParvoFLEX can be mixed and administered with Reprocyc^® PRRS EU, a vaccine for active immunisation of breeding females affected by European (genotype 1) porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). It is approved for use at any stage of gestation and lactation, so it can be introduced to current PRRS control programmes for sow herds.

PRRS continues to be a highly prevalent disease in pig farms causing economic losses through its negative effects on reproduction and growth as well as by clinical illness.

Martin Forchieri, marketing head of swine strategic business unit at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: "I am really proud we continuously bring innovation to the market and keep addressing our customers' needs."

Xavier de Paz Solanes, global brand manager at Boehringer Ingelheim, commented: "With this new product, veterinarians and producers can simultaneously control two of the most prevalent reproductive diseases in swine herds."

- Boehringer Ingelheim,