Boehringer Ingelheim launches EURICAN® L4 vaccine, offering outstanding protection against leptospirosis in dogs

Ingelheim, Germany, Thu, 11/28/2024 - 13:00

Due to climate change and urbanization, dogs in Europe face an increasing risk of the potentially fatal disease leptospirosis¹, which is spread through water and soil contaminated by Leptospira bacteria.
Already two weeks after primary vaccination, EURICAN® L4 effectively protects dogs against four key serogroups of leptospirosis in Europe,² including the serogroup L. Australis.³
EURICAN® L4 prevents or reduces several potentially severe leptospirosis outcomes.²

Boehringer Ingelheim, a global leader in animal health, has begun its launch of EURICAN® L4, delivering an important new vaccine to protect dogs against the growing threat of leptospirosis, a severe and reemerging infectious disease. EURICAN® L4 is now available to veterinary practices in France, with additional countries in Europe to follow in 2025.

EURICAN L4 vial — EURICAN® L4, now available in France as of October 2024.

Effective protection against key Leptospira serogroups and disease outcomes

Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria, of which there are more than 300 serovars within 25 serogroups.

The new, non-adjuvanted EURICAN® L4 vaccine provides effective immunity against four key Leptospira serogroups, including L. Australis, which has emerged due to changes in the epidemiology of canine leptospirosis³, as well as L. Canicola, L. Icterohaemorrhagiae and L. Grippotyphosa. A 2017-2020 study identified L. Icterohaemorrhagiae (53%) and L. Australis (13%) as the most prevalent Leptospira serogroups circulating in dogs in Europe.¹

Already two weeks after primary vaccination, dogs can benefit from EURICAN® L4’s outstanding efficacy profile: prevention of mortality and clinical signs, and prevention or reduction of infection, urinary excretion, renal carriage, and renal lesions. The first vaccination can be given to puppies starting at seven weeks of age, followed by a booster four weeks later, and then a yearly vaccination.

“As part of our ongoing careful monitoring of challenges to the health of animals, we recognized an opportunity to develop an innovative vaccine to address the current epidemiological situation of leptospirosis,” said Erich Schött, Head of Pet Vaccines at Boehringer Ingelheim. “We are pleased to introduce EURICAN® L4 – with outstanding efficacy against relevant Leptospira serogroups in Europe – to help protect more dogs from the increasing dangers of this serious disease.”

A potentially deadly and increasing disease risk

Leptospirosis is a severe infectious disease caused by Leptospira bacteria that are widespread globally. This multi-organ disease, which particularly affects the kidney and liver, can be fatal for dogs. Soil and water, contaminated by rodent urine carrying the bacteria, are the main sources of dogs’ infection. Leptospirosis is more common in warm climates with high annual rainfall, but it can occur anywhere, especially after heavy rainfall and flooding. The risk of infection is increasing in Europe due to climate change and urbanization.¹

“Vaccination against leptospirosis is crucial for dogs around the world, with veterinarians providing important guidance to pet owners,” Schött added. “We are proud to be a leader in protecting pets from infectious diseases – and helping to keep animals healthy.”

References:

Wenderlein et al. Detection and identification of pathogenic Leptospira spp. serogroups in Europe between 2017 and 2020 applying a novel gene-based molecular approach. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/1101841
Indications for EURICAN® L4 as per summary of product characteristics (SPC): prevention or reduction of mortality, clinical signs, infection, urinary excretion, renal carriage, and renal lesions caused by L. Canicola, L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. Grippotyphosa, and L. Australis. For L. Canicola, L. Icterohaemorrhagiae, L. Grippotyphosa prevention of mortality and clinical signs was not demonstrated at the duration of immunity timepoint. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/veterinary/EPAR/eurican-l4#product-details
Bouvet J, Segouffin Cariou C, Oberli F, Guiot A-L, Cupillard L. A New Licensed Quadrivalent Antileptospiral Canine Vaccine Prevents Mortality, Clinical Signs, Infection, Bacterial Excretion, Renal Carriage and Renal Lesions Caused by Leptospira Australis Experimental Challenge. Vaccines. 2024; 12(10):1104. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12101104

Boehringer Ingelheim - Animal Health business

Boehringer Ingelheim provides innovation for preventing and treating diseases in animals. The company offers a wide range of vaccines, parasite-control products, and medicines for pets, horses, and livestock to veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, and governments. As a leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim values that the health of humans and animals is deeply connected and strives to make a difference for people, animals, and society. Learn more at https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health.

Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top investors in Research and Development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. More than 53,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable tomorrow. Learn more at https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

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