Single Injection to Protect Damaging Diseases

Based on the established Birnagen Forte 3 vaccine, the product offers broad coverage and demonstrated efficacy against Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN), ISA, Salmonid Rickettsial Septicaemia (SRS) and Vibriosis.

“Infectious Salmon Anemia and Salmonid Rickettsia Septicemia are two of the most important diseases of marine-farmed Atlantic Salmon,” said Marcos Godoy, MV, Technical Manager, ETECMA S.A.

“These are responsible for devastating damage across the global farmed fish industry, and particularly in Chile.”

Efficacy

The antigen dosing in the Birnagen Forte 3 Plus vaccine is formulated to ensure efficacy based on rigorous challenge models. The vaccine demonstrates efficacy against ISA at a Relative Percent Survival (RPS) of 89 per cent and offers the same broad, long lasting protection for SRS and Vibriosis (RPS 100 per cent).

In a controlled study conducted in a certified Good Clinical Practice (GCP) facility, highly effective protection (RPS 87.4 per cent) against IPN was also demonstrated. An additional ISA cross protection study shows the vaccine is of full geographic relevance to Chile, meaning it is highly protective for dominant Chilean ISA strains.

Effects of infectious diseases, such as ISA and SRS, can include poor productivity, low survival rate, diminished quality of the salmon flesh and, in the case of bacterial diseases, an undesirable increase in the use of antibiotics. The morbidity and mortality rates are variable, but both these diseases can kill over 90 per cent of the fish within a few months if left unchecked and untreated.

In 2009, NAH was the first to launch a commercially available ISA vaccine in Chile, supporting the industry as it gained control of the disease.

Continuous investment in aquaculture allows NAH to optimise product development on an ongoing basis to meet emerging customer needs, including through the convenience of single-dose, multivalent vaccines.

“The launch of Birnagen Forte 3 Plus in Chile demonstrates the commitment of Novartis Animal Health to deliver innovative products that meet the needs of salmon producers in countries around the world,” said Folkert Kamphuis, Novartis Animal Health Chief Operating Officer.

“We have more than 10 years of international experience in producing aqua vaccines for Chile, Norway, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Faroe Islands. Our ongoing commitment to Aqua R&D, with over US$ 13 million invested in our Prince Edward Island research facility and more than 100 Aqua employees – including approximately 40 dedicated Aqua R&D staff – drives continued support for sustainability of the Chilean salmon industry and growth worldwide.”