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02/27/2012

A new vaccine alternative helps advance the fight against PRRS

MADISON, N.J.--Fostera™ PRRS*, a modified-live vaccine for growing pigs from Pfizer Animal Health, brings a new high standard of innovation to the costly battle against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) respiratory disease.

Demonstrating its commitment to high standards, Pfizer Animal Health's research and development team made a significant breakthrough. They created unique cell lines that were able to express a newly discovered key receptor protein for the PRRS virus (PRRSv). This innovative thinking was pivotal in bringing Fostera PRRS to the pork industry.

"With more than half of weaning-age PRRSv-negative pigs becoming infected before going to market1, this innovative vaccine option helps growing pigs defend themselves against a PRRSv challenge," says Steve Sornsen, DVM, MS, senior director, Veterinary Business Solutions at Pfizer Animal Health.

A challenge study2 demonstrated that Fostera PRRS, which is the first and only PRRSv vaccine to earn the label claim aid in prevention of PRRS respiratory disease, reduced lung lesions by 84 percent and reduced overall respiratory clinical signs by 80 percent. Additionally, results showed vaccination with Fostera PRRS improved average daily gain by 2.5 times compared to pigs in the placebo group.

"Fostera PRRS helps optimize performance by minimizing the adverse affects of a subsequent PRRSv challenge, thereby allowing growing pigs to maximize their post-challenge weight gain," says Doug King, DVM, senior veterinarian at Pfizer Animal Health.

Fostera PRRS is the second product to launch under the Fostera brand name and is supported by in-field support, resources and diagnostics to help veterinarians and producers tackle this critical disease challenge.

Fostera PRRS is available from your veterinarian or animal health supplier. For more information, talk to your veterinarian, Pfizer Animal Health representative, visit PfizerPork.com/FosteraPRRS or call toll-free 855-424-7349.

Pfizer Animal Health, a business of Pfizer Inc., is a world leader in discovering and developing innovative animal vaccines, medicines, diagnostic products and genetic tests, investing an estimated $300 million annually in animal health product research and development. For more information about how Pfizer Animal Health works to ensure a safe, sustainable global food supply from healthy swine and other livestock, visit PfizerAH.com.

*Vaccine virus may be shed and transmitted to other populations of swine in direct or indirect contact with vaccinated swine. The duration of potential vaccine virus transmission may vary. Non-vaccinated pigs in contact with Fostera PRRS vaccinated pigs may seroconvert to vaccine virus. Use of the vaccine in herds intended to remain PRRS virus seronegative is contraindicated. Introduction of vaccinated pigs into herds intended to remain PRRS virus seronegative is contraindicated.

Download the Fostera PRRS product photo.

News Media Contacts:
Benjamin Church
Pfizer Animal Health
718-755-0480
[email protected]
or
Tricia Burkhardt
Morgan&Myers
319-233-0502
[email protected]
or
Elinore Y. White
Director, Worldwide Communications
Pfizer Animal Health
5 Giralda Farms
Madison, NJ 07940
Office: 973.401.4044
Mobile: 347.331.9042
[email protected]

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