In late 2005 Imugene and Abic Biological Laboratories Teva Ltd., began the development and evaluation for a new vaccine for the poultry coccidiosis prevention market.
Abic Biological Laboratories Teva Ltd is the animal health division of Israeli-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Coccidiosis is one of the most common and costly diseases in poultry and is prevalent worldwide. Apart from causing weight loss and poor feed conversion, the death rate in chicks and in adult birds can also be high.
Vaccine candidates are under preparation and construction by Imugene. These will then be trialled at the University of Technology Sydney. Abic Biological Laboratories Teva Ltd is funding the vaccine product development feasibility study which will combine Imugene’s patented Adenoviral Vector Delivery System with patented coccidia genes supplied and owned by Abic Biological Laboratories Teva Ltd.
A ‘non-vectored’ sub-unit coccidia vaccine is currently sold by Abic Biological Laboratories Teva Ltd for the poultry broiler breeder markets, for the maternal immunization of their offspring chicks in various countries. Imugene’s Vector Delivery System has the potential to allow a successful vaccine to be introduced to the much larger broiler markets by making the vaccine suitable and cost effective for administration on a large scale.
The new vaccine upon successful completion will enable the expansion of coccidiosis treatment from the small numbers of breeding and laying poultry to the massive broiler populations.
Upon successful completion of the trials and license negotiations and obtaining marketing authorisation Abic Biological Laboratories Teva Ltd will produce, sell and distribute the vectored coccidia vaccine with Imugene receiving royalty income. Abic is represented in the major poultry producing regions of the world.
About Coccidiosis Coccidia is the second biggest poultry treatment product category, second only to in-feed antibiotics.
The Imugene / Abic vaccine will be an overwhelming commercial proposition to poultry producers as its low cost of delivery to large poultry populations will position the vaccine to capture a major share of the market. As the vectored vaccine does not require injection, it is ideal for mass administration to many thousands of birds via their drinking water.
Current treatments for the disease in broilers is through the use of ‘coccidiostats’, a range of chemicals that control rather than completely prevent coccidiosis. Current coccidiostats are rapidly declining in efficacy due to developing resistance.
Use of coccidiostats is under increasing pressure from regulatory authorities and consumers. Chemical residues are of concern as is the constant emergence of resistant variants. However, since coccidiosis has such a dramatic impact on commercial poultry production it is unlikely that poultry industries will be forced to cease coccidiostat use unless there is a credible alternative like an effective and an economically viable vaccine.
Coccidiosis in chickens is caused by seven different species of coccidia (genus Eimeria), which are single celled parasites that live in the gut wall of their host. These coccidia are host specific: turkeys and other species are not infected by fowl coccidia and vice-versa. The different species of coccidia live in different parts of the gut and can be divided into those causing intestinal coccidiosis (the majority) or caecal coccidiosis (one species).
The magnitude of the impact of coccidiosis is such that disease control practices are essential. In 1997, sales of coccidiostats accounted for 3% of the US$17B world animal health and nutrition market (AH&N) and this has been predicted to rise to 3.5% (i.e. US$850 million) of the projected US$24.5B 2005 AH&N market.
About Abic Biological Laboratories Teva Ltd Abic is a quality producer of pharmaceuticals and veterinary products. Abic Biological Laboratories is wholly owned by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. The veterinary division under the name of Abic has emerged as a major force in the Israeli veterinary market.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, headquartered in Israel, is among the top 20 pharmaceutical companies and among the largest generic pharmaceutical companies in the world. The Company develops, manufactures and markets generic and innovative human pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Close to 90% of Teva’s sales are in North America and Europe.
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