USA - New Boehringer Ingelheim research program targets PCVAD

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. announces the launch of a new research program targeted at porcine circovirus associated diseases (PCVAD), a disease complex that presents a growing threat to the health of swine in the United States and other countries. As part of the research initiative, called the PCVAD Research Award Program, Boehringer Ingelheim is committing $75,000 annually to fund three selected research programs. The program is open to all swine researchers, veterinarians, academia and others within Canada, Mexico and the United States to search for solutions to this economically devastating disease complex. Klaas Okkinga, product marketing manager with BIVI, says the complexity of the disease, along with the number of other disease co-factors that contribute to its development, make it a challenge to diagnose, prevent and treat. “While porcine circoviruses have been identified in pigs for more than 25 years, there is still a great deal for the industry to learn about its relationship with other diseases and how to best manage it. “The goal of the PCVAD Research Award Program is to fund collaborative research efforts that will lead to practical, clinically relevant solutions that veterinarians and producers can use to prevent or manage the diseases and conditions associated with them,” he says. Boehringer Ingelheim will award the first three research grants this September. The company is accepting research proposals until August 15, at which time they will be reviewed by an independent board and selected based on specific criteria, including potential impact on the swine industry, scientific quality, probability of success in achieving research goals and originality. Researchers, veterinarians and others interested in submitting PCVAD research proposals should contact Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica directly or go to the program Website. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (St. Joseph, MO), is a subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation based in Ridgefield, CT, and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies. The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 143 affiliates in 47 countries and nearly 37,500 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine. In 2005, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of US $11.8 billion (9.5 billion euro) while spending nearly one-fifth of net sales in its largest business segment, Prescription Medicines, on research and development.