DURHAM, N.C.--A new animal health research collaboration aimed at
finding better ways of preventing and managing disease and advancing
sustainable animal agriculture and welfare was announced today by Pfizer
Animal Health and the Easter Bush Research Consortium (EBRC) – one of
the largest veterinary research and education consortiums in Europe.
The collaboration sets a new standard in animal health research and
innovation and is backed by funding of approximately $2 million USD over
five years. It is a key component of Pfizer’s ongoing global commitment
to veterinarians, which involves supporting the profession through
continued training and education initiatives, as well as investing in
research programmes.
"This new collaboration will bring together many of the research leaders
in the animal health world, backed by an unrivalled resource. The
potential for increasing our knowledge and improving our ability to
manage animal health and welfare issues is very exciting," said Dr.
Albert Bourla, Pfizer Animal Health Area President for Europe, Africa,
Middle East, Asia and Pacific. "The time when industry could research
and develop its own ideas and products in isolation is coming to an end;
the future of animal health and welfare lies in multi-disciplinary
collaboration with external partners who share the same vision."
The EBRC – consisting of the UK’s Moredun Research Institute, The Roslin
Institute and The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the
University of Edinburgh and SAC (the Scottish Agricultural College) – is
one of the largest groups investigating the health, welfare and
development of companion and food production animals.
Pfizer Partnership Platform objectives with the EBRC include:
Projects will cover all the major food production and companion animal
species and include vaccines, immunology, infectious diseases,
parasitology, proteomics, genetics, genomics, antigenomics, target
identification, clinical models and comparative translational medicine
Professor Elaine Watson, head of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary
Studies, said: "This partnership will provide the financial investment
to develop world class veterinary education in a research-led
environment and ensure that Edinburgh grows as a centre for
international scientific excellence and knowledge transfer."
"The EBRC has a wealth of expertise and this agreement ensures a
critical mass of inquiry for animal health and welfare issues, which
will encourage new multi-disciplinary collaborations as well as provide
training for the next generation of vets and scientists," she added.
Together, Pfizer and the EBRC will encourage leading veterinary
scientists from different organisations to share information and
insights and work together on defined research and education projects
that foster and accelerate innovation in the animal health sector.
Pfizer Inc: Working together for a healthier world™
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health
and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for
quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and
manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified
global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and
small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products
and many of the world's best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer
colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance
wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most
feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibilityas the
world's leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with
health careproviders, governments and local communities to support and
expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For
more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who
rely on us. To learn more about our commitments to animal health, please
visit us at www.pfizeranimalhealth.com.
Issued by: Garnett Keeler Public Relations
Mike Keeler
+44 (0) 20 8647 4467 or mk@garnett-keeler.com