Innovative technology represents a
breakthrough scientific achievement for highly contagious
respiratory disease
Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the
United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc.,
Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), announced today the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) approval of NOBIVAC® NXT Canine Flu H3N2, a
next-level solution to help safeguard dogs against the ongoing
threat of canine influenza. The product is expected to be available
at veterinary clinics and hospitals nationwide late this
summer.
Merck Animal Health has a long-standing commitment to
discovering and developing innovative preventive medicines that
support veterinary healthcare teams and improve the lives of pets.
NOBIVAC NXT is a revolutionary, first-of-its-kind vaccine
technology for companion animals that leverages RNA-particle
technology, allowing for a precise immune response to protect
against a wide range of viral and bacterial pathogens.
"On behalf of Merck Animal Health and our NOBIVAC brand, we are
beyond proud to introduce our latest vaccine using ‘NXT-level’
technology. This is a groundbreaking advancement in our vaccine
pipeline designed to meet the evolving needs of veterinarians and
pet owners alike,” said Christine Royal, DVM, vice president,
companion animal and equine business unit, Merck Animal Health.
“With over 70 years of innovation and commitment to animal health,
our new NOBIVAC NXT technology will continue to lead the way in
providing breakthrough solutions for the prevention of disease in
animals.”
NOBIVAC NXT Canine Flu H3N2 is the first and only canine
influenza vaccine built on Merck Animal Health’s RNA-particle
technology platform to deliver optimized protection against the
most prevalent canine influenza virus circulating in the United
States. NOBIVAC NXT Canine Flu H3N2 is a nonadjuvanted, low volume
0.5 mL dose vaccine that harnesses the natural ability of the
immune system to generate a robust response without compromising
comfort or safety. The product is indicated for the vaccination of
healthy dogs eight weeks of age or older against canine influenza
H3N2.
“As a leader in innovation and trusted advocate for disease
prevention, Merck Animal Health uses its leadership and expertise
in research and development to make medicines that help keep pets
safe,” said Ian Tarpey, vice president, research and development,
Merck Animal Health. “The NOBIVAC NXT innovation represents a major
advancement in vaccine technology and furthers our commitment to
animal care by helping veterinarians protect pets from significant
disease and ultimately, improve their lives by preventing health
issues.”
Canine influenza, or dog flu, is a serious respiratory illness
that is easily transmitted from dog to dog. Canines are social
creatures by nature and are at risk for infection when exposed to
the virus. Moreover, unlike human flu, canine influenza is not
seasonal; dogs are susceptible to it year-round, which is why it’s
important to vaccinate every year.
“Vaccination is the best form of protection against this highly
transmissible disease. When canine influenza does show up in large
outbreaks, it can have a widespread impact,” said Meg Conlon, DVM,
executive director, veterinary professional services, Merck Animal
Health. “Pets have become part of the family and are integrated
into so many aspects of our lives, which makes vaccination even
more crucial. At Merck Animal Health, we continue to stress the
importance of preventative care to keep our beloved pets healthy
and protected from potential illness.”
Merck Animal Health has been leading canine influenza protection
since launching the first canine influenza vaccine – NOBIVAC®
Canine Flu H3N8 – in 2009. When canine influenza H3N2 emerged as an
epidemic in the U.S. in 2015, Merck Animal Health made its
monovalent H3N2 vaccine available to protect dogs against the
disease; and in 2016, the company was first to receive a fully
licensed bivalent and monovalent H3N2 vaccine. In addition, the
company has been advancing canine respiratory protection for
decades with its intranasal, canine flu and oral respiratory
vaccines that prevent the spread of pathogens and protect the
respiratory health of dogs. Now, Merck Animal Health continues its
legacy of innovation with the introduction of NOBIVAC® NXT Canine
Flu H3N2. For more information on canine influenza and options for
protection, visit dogflu.com.
About Merck Animal Health
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada,
we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge
science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a
century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward
medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions for the world’s
most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck
& Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, is the global animal health
business of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of
Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians,
farmers, producers, pet owners and governments one of the widest
ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health
management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of
connected technology that includes identification, traceability and
monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving
and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and
the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and
comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain.
Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its
products are available in some 150 markets. For more information,
visit www.merck-animal-health.com and connect with us on LinkedIn,
Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway,
N.J., USA
This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA
(the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are
based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s
management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.
If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or
uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially
from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general
industry conditions and competition; general economic factors,
including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations;
the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care
legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends
toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new
products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent
in new product development, including obtaining regulatory
approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market
conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial
instability of international economies and sovereign risk;
dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other
protections for innovative products; and the exposure to
litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory
actions.
The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause
results to differ materially from those described in the
forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the
company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).
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Laurel.Mundth@merck.com
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