Boehringer Ingelheim launches vaccine against bluetongue virus serotype 3 in sheep and cattle

With the launch of BULTAVO 3™, Boehringer Ingelheim is adding a vaccine against bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 3 to its ruminant vaccine portfolio. BULTAVO 3™ is an inactivated vaccine (adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide and saponine) which is injected subcutaneously in sheep and intramuscularly in cattle. For initial protection, one shot is needed in sheep. In cattle, two shots are required (spaced three weeks apart). BULTAVO 3™ is the first vaccine that prevents mortality and clinical signs of BTV-3. It drastically reduces the circulation of the virus in the blood of the animal, significantly reducing the risk of disease transmission. 

BTV is one of the infectious ‘transboundary animal diseases’ (TADs) affecting livestock. These diseases can spread quickly, cross-border, affecting multiple countries and species with a significant impact on human and animal health as well as on society. Boehringer Ingelheim has a portfolio of vaccines against several of these diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza. Since the recent BTV-3 outbreaks, health authorities have reached out to the pharmaceutical industry stressing the need for a vaccine against this new bluetongue virus serotype. Boehringer Ingelheim responded by joining forces with Bioveta, a veterinary products manufacturer with a special focus on vaccines, to develop BULTAVO 3™. Starting end of May 2024, the vaccine will be available in BTV-3 affected countries.

Gerald Behrens, Global Head of Ruminants at Boehringer Ingelheim, says: “We are glad to support farmers and authorities in their fight against bluetongue with our BTV-3 vaccine BULTAVO 3™. In cooperation with our long-term partner Bioveta, we made it possible to have a very effective vaccine against serotype 3 on the market within a very short period of time. With BULTAVO 3™, future BTV-3 outbreaks can be prevented, and farmers can protect not only their herds, but also their livelihoods.”

Bluetongue: A threat to animals, farmers, and public health

BTV is transmitted by tiny insects known as Culicoides. It is a seasonal disease with low incidence in winter and spring and increasing incidence in summer and autumn. There are 29 different serotypes of BTV which primarily infect ruminants such as cattle and sheep. The newly emerged serotype 3 that is currently spreading in Europe was reported to impact sheep farms with a weekly mortality rate of around 2.5%¹.  In cattle, the recent BTV-3 outbreak has led to symptoms like reproductive issues and caused significant milk losses in affected dairy farms. In addition to the impact on the animals, bluetongue virus can cause severe economic losses for producers and has an impact on international trade.

Reference:
¹ Inge Santman Berends and René Van der Brom, AHDB technical Webinar 7th of February 2024, Bluetongue virus technical webinar - Insights from the Netherlands on the 2023 outbreak - YouTube

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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