Boehringer receives UK permit for BTV3 vaccine

• BULTAVO 3™ is a new vaccine indicated for the active immunisation of sheep and cattle against bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3).
• Recent outbreaks of BTV-3 across Europe and in Great Britain have the potential to cause serious losses for farmers. 
• The vaccine has been permitted for use in the UK, initially in high-risk counties as defined by the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

BULTAVO-3™ is the first vaccine that prevents mortality and clinical signs of BTV-3

4 September 2024: Today, Boehringer Ingelheim, a leading provider of livestock preventative health solutions, announced that the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has granted a permit allowing the use of BULTAVO 3™ in the United Kingdom.  To manage supply and demand, use of the product will initially be subject to geographical restriction with vaccination permitted in high-risk English counties as defined by DEFRA. 

BULTAVO 3™ is an inactivated injectable vaccine indicated for the active immunisation against BTV-3. In sheep, BULTAVO 3™ has been shown to significantly reduce viraemia and prevent mortality and clinical signs associated with BTV-3 infection.  Onset of immunity occurs three weeks after administration of a single 1ml subcutaneous dose in sheep. In cattle, two 1ml intramuscular doses are required, at a three-week interval. Farmers wishing to use the vaccine should speak to their vet. 

BTV-3, a viral infection spread by midges, is a notifiable disease in the UK; it’s a legal requirement to report suspicion of BTV-3 to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). The current strain emerged in the Netherlands in 2023 and spread rapidly, infecting over 5,000 livestock farms.  Infection of livestock with this serotype of the virus can result in severe clinical signs and high mortality rates, significantly impacting animal health, and farming communities. For more information visit: Bluetongue: how to spot and report it - GOV.UK.

In response to the threat of BTV-3, pharmaceutical companies and the livestock industry quickly recognised the critical need for an effective vaccine. Boehringer responded, using its expertise in emerging and transboundary diseases and working in collaboration with Bioveta, a veterinary products manufacturer with a special focus on vaccines, to rapidly develop BULTAVO 3™. 

Findlay MacBean, Head of Livestock, UK and Ireland at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: “It’s great news that we can support farmers and authorities in their fight against bluetongue with our new BTV-3 vaccine, BULTAVO 3™.  As we have seen across Europe, and now in the UK, BTV can spread rapidly and causes considerable stress to farmers because of the significant financial impact on those affected. The availability of BULTAVO 3™ means future BTV-3 outbreaks can be suppressed, helping farmers protect not only their herds, but also their livelihoods.” 

“Farmers are justifiably concerned about BTV-3 and its incursion into the UK again this year. Reports from colleagues on the continent regarding the severity of clinical signs, especially in sheep are worrying. We have seen a huge increase in clients asking about the disease, progress on a vaccine and what this may mean for animal movements at a critical time of year.  The availability of a safe and effective vaccine as a critical tool against a disease that we can’t reasonably prevent with biosecurity measures will be a welcome development for many,” said Oli Maxwell, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cattle Health and Production and Clinical Director of Green Counties Vets.

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

BTV is transmitted by tiny insects called Culicoides midges. Because it requires the presence of a midge vector for transmission, it is a seasonal disease, meaning it has low incidence in winter and spring and increasing incidence in summer and autumn. There are 29 different serotypes of BTV which primarily infect ruminants. The newly emerged serotype 3 that is currently spreading in the UK and Europe was first reported to impact sheep farms with a weekly mortality rate of around 2.5% in the Netherlands,¹  while in cattle it has led to a severe decrease in milk yield. BTV3 infections are accompanied by considerable pain and suffering in the affected animals and in addition to the impact on the animals, BTV 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. 

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 that can improve and extend lives 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 www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/uk

Intended audiences:

This press release has been issued from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health UK Ltd based in Bracknell, Berkshire, and is intended to provide information to the media about our Animal Health business in the UK and Ireland. Please be aware that information relating to the approval status and labels of approved products may vary from country to country, and a country-specific press release on this topic may have been issued in the countries where we do business.