Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND provides foundation for comprehensive respiratory protection against Newcastle, Marek’s diseases.

January 16, 2020

2 Min Read
Zoetis expands poultry portfolio with vectored vaccine
Leon Neal_Getty Images News

Zoetis announced it has further expanded its poultry vaccine portfolio with the introduction of Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND, a vectored recombinant vaccine that protects broiler chickens against Newcastle disease (ND) and Marek’s disease viruses.

“Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND is the first Zoetis vaccine developed with our state-of-the-art vector platform and is the newest of its kind available,” said Dr. Jon Schaeffer, senior director of U.S. poultry technical services for Zoetis. “The vaccine was developed using advanced molecular techniques to deliver a highly effective immune response, with competitive onset of immunity.”

ND virus causes a highly contagious and fatal disease affecting all species of birds. Zoetis said its researchers screened more than a dozen vaccine candidates with the ND virus fusion protein — a major glycoprotein present in the viral envelope and one of the main immunoprotective ND virus antigens.

The candidate they ultimately selected for Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND provided 93% protection against a challenge with velogenic (virulent) ND virus on day 19 of age and 95% protection against a velogenic ND virus challenge on day 28 of age in specific-pathogen-free birds, regardless of whether the vaccine was administered in ovo or subcutaneously. When the vaccine was administered in ovo to commercial broilers, there was 100% efficacy against a velogenic ND virus challenge on day 33 of age, Zoetis said.

Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND also contains the herpesvirus of turkey (HVT), an avirulent turkey virus that is capable of replication in chickens, Zoetis said. HVT has been demonstrated as a useful vector for delivering major avian antigens, as well as an effective vaccine for Marek’s disease virus.

According to the announcement, Poulvac Procerta HVT-ND will begin shipping in January. The vaccine is backed by technical expertise and support associated with the Inovoject system — an Embrex biodevice and market leader for vaccination of eggs in ovo.

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