Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health launched an innovative, first-of-its-kind vaccine in the U.S. to protect poultry from three diseases.

The company said VAXXITEK HVT+IBD+ILT is the first vaccine to offer protection in one shot from infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), Marek’s disease and infectious bursal disease (classic and variant types).

“This new trivalent vaccine provides a strong immune foundation, optimizes protection for flocks and offers reliable protection,” said Matt Nelson, who leads Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health’s U.S. poultry business.

The three-in-one vaccine is the latest addition in the VAXXITEK family of vaccines for poultry, the announcement said, noting that it uses the same bioengineering platform as VAXXITEK HVT+IBD, which has protected more than 100 billion birds from Marek’s disease and infectious bursal disease in more than 75 countries since its introduction in 2006.

ILT is an acute viral respiratory disease in poultry caused by Gallid herpesvirus type 1. There is no effective treatment for ILT, and the virus persists in affected birds for life. The disease can cause major economic losses.

An existing, non-vectored vaccine from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health protects against ILT, the company said. The new trivalent is a vectored vaccine that provides protection against ILT along with two other health threats for poultry: Marek’s disease and infectious bursal disease.

The company will manufacture its new vaccine in Gainesville, Ga., where it makes 60 billion doses of poultry vaccine each year for use in the U.S. and about 60 other countries.

After launching in the U.S., Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health said it plans to seek regulatory approval to offer VAXXITEK HVT+IBD+ILT in other countries.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is the second largest animal health business in the world, with net sales of $4.5 billion (4 billion euros) in 2019 and a presence in more than 150 countries.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has a significant presence in the U.S.,  with more than 3,100 employees in places that include Georgia, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, New Jersey and Puerto Rico.