year of the pig vaccine

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)
Introduction
The PRRS virus is viewed by many veterinarians as the most damaging disease affecting the worldwide pig industry causing losses of up to US$1 billion per annum. Initially recognised in the US in 1987, the disease spread rapidly to Europe in 1990 and subsequently across the rest of the world. Australia is one of three countries considered to be PRRS free. All the major pork producing markets throughout the world are affected with PRRS.

The disease is characterised by abortion, premature farrowing, stillborn and mummified piglets, respiratory disease. Economic losses are caused through death and chronic poor performance of nursing and weaned pigs.

There is no current effective treatment or vaccine for the viral infection. Vaccines developed to date have suffered from either poor performance or safety problems.

Attempted control of PRRS on the farm using management processes have been tedious, labour intensive and have met with limited success.

There is a desperate need for an effective vaccine that is easy to administer, safe and where vaccinated pigs can be differentiated from infected pigs.

The new Imugene PRRS vaccine meets these needs.

Current Studies
Through the use of the Imugene patented Adenoviral Delivery Vector platform technology, the vaccine has been demonstrated to protect pigs in a challenge trial.

As a result of this highly successful trial, several multinational animal health companies initiated contact with Imugene. This process was halted until the porcine adenovirus patent position in the US (the world’s major pig products market) became clear in 2006. These discussions have re-commenced now that the patent interference situation has been successfully resolved in Imugene’s favour.

As this disease does not occur in Australia, Imugene intends to license the vaccine to a major international animal health company for further trials, product development work and worldwide sales.

Following the initial successful validation trial, Imugene has concentrated on developing the vaccine using the upgraded and more powerful promoter within the Adenoviral Delivery Vector platform technology. This optimisation has successfully been completed. Development activity for this product is now solely concentrating on the commercialisation and licensing of the PRRS vaccine.

The total market size for a PRRS vaccine is difficult to estimate accurately, as the incidence of the disease is increasing. Preliminary estimates indicate an effective PRRS vaccine would generate revenue of up to US$200 million per annum. If eradication programs are introduced, revenue could be as much as US$300-400 million per annum.
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