Pfizer to Expand Veterinary Experience Before Launch Later this Year
TOKYO--Pfizer Animal Health today announced it will begin to expand
Japanese veterinary experience with IMPROVAC, Pfizer’s successful pork
production technology embraced by pig farmers in other countries for
more than 10 years. The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and
Fishery (JMAFF) has approved IMPROVAC as safe and effective for use by
veterinarians in pigs throughout Japan.
"In the months ahead, the experience gained with IMPROVAC by a group of
veterinarians and swine producers will enable Pfizer to support
veterinarians throughout the country more effectively when IMPROVAC
becomes more widely available for prescription in late 2010,” said
Yukihiro Takemoto, Livestock Business Unit Director, Pfizer Animal
Health, Japan.
Pfizer plans to train and assist veterinarians and their pork producer
clients on the proper use of IMPROVAC to help them maximize the value
that it can deliver to their operations.
About IMPROVAC
IMPROVAC uses the pig’s own immune system to temporarily interrupt
testicular function, which results in the control of the level of key
“boar taint” causing compounds at the time of the slaughter. Up to now
the only way to reduce boar taint has been to physically castrate male
piglets early in life or to slaughter them young, before the risk of
taint is high.
IMPROVAC is administered as two doses: the first ‘primes’ the immune
system and the second (at least 4 weeks later) stimulates the production
of antibodies to control boar taint.
IMPROVAC allows male pigs to maintain their natural male growth patterns
up to the time of the second injection, resulting in a more efficient
feed conversion and producing the same quality meat of physical castrate
pigs. IMPROVAC also improves the welfare of pigs by avoiding the stress,
pain, and mortality associated with the physical castration of piglets.
Furthermore, physical castration changes the natural growth patterns of
boars, so they convert feed less efficiently and produce fatter
carcasses.
Pork products from pigs who have received IMPROVAC have been proven to
be safe to eat and have been enjoyed by millions of pork consumers in
many countries of the world. IMPROVAC is now approved for use in 55
countries, including Japan.
About Pfizer Animal Health
Pfizer Animal Health, a business of Pfizer Inc., is a world leader in
discovering and developing innovative animal prescription medicines and
vaccines, investing an estimated $300 million in R&D annually. For more
information on how Pfizer works to ensure a safe, sustainable global
food supply with healthy livestock and poultry, or how Pfizer helps
companion animals and horses to live longer, healthier lives, visit animalhealth.pfizer.com.
Pfizer Corporate Communications
Miho Kawashima
Japan +81 3 5309 7057
miho.kawashima@pfizer.com
or
Pfizer Animal Health Media Relations
Rick Goulart
US 212.733.7457
Rick.Goulart@Pfizer.com