MSD Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co. Inc. and a global leader in animal vaccines, announced June 20 a partnership agreement with Vinovo B.V., a division of hatchery automation company Viscon Hatchery Automation.

This synergistic partnership will bring together MSD Animal Health’s unique broad vaccine product line and Vinovo’s novel vaccine delivery system to provide a "new standard" in safe and effective in ovo vaccination, thereby improving bird welfare, reducing vaccine reactions and providing greater protection for the chickens, MSD Animal Health said.

A spokesperson for MSD Animal Health told Feedstuffs that the partnership is global, and producers in all countries are eligible to participate. Currently, more than 60% of the world’s broilers do not receive in ovo vaccinations, and MSD Animal Health sees this as a potential growth opportunity.

“This is a true partnership, bringing together our broad vaccine portfolio, which protects poultry against highly infectious diseases, with Vinovo’s top-of-the-line novel delivery system technology to help poultry growers around the world,” said Dr. Taylor Barbosa, executive director, global poultry marketing, MSD Animal Health.

Viscon Hatchery Automation general manager Bas Smaal added, “We are proud and excited that MSD Animal Health, being an industry-leading vaccine company, selected us as their strategic partner for in ovo equipment. This will accelerate our in ovo business and worldwide presence in sales and services, which will be beneficial for our existing and future customers. We have specialized in hatchery automation for more than 25 years, and this partnership supports our main drive to create competitive advantages and continuity for our clients through efficient, reliable, cost-effective and future proof automation solutions that can grow and change with their organization.”

In ovo vaccination is a proven method for the application of various vaccines in a hatchery, the announcement said. Vinovo takes in ovo to a new level through the integration of a set of innovative machines that detect and separate non-viable embryos, vaccinates live embryos and transfers the vaccinated viable eggs to the hatchery, the company explained.

MSD Animal Health is the largest poultry vaccine manufacturer worldwide, with a broad product line against most major pathogens and a focus on diseases affecting broilers, breeders and layers. With a robust research and development pipeline spanning key disease areas, the company said it aims to advance vaccine and pharmaceutical scientific innovations in veterinary medicine in poultry as well as in other species areas.