ZOETIS is marking 30 years of commercial in-ovo vaccination using its Inovoject system, a major advance for poultry health.
The system was first used in the US, where it contributed to bringing the “devastating impact” of Marek’s disease under control.
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Tyson Foods was an early adopter of the technology, and more than 80% of poultry in North America is protected against Mareks this way, Zoetis says.
The technology has continued to develop and expand to cover other common poultry diseases.
Curtis Shuey, vice president, International Biodevices, said: “The technology was pioneered by Embrex at its headquarters in North Carolina.
“Over several years the company designed and tested a device that could deliver vaccine in-ovo in a commercial environment.
‘Practical challenges’
“The delivery mechanism had to overcome many practical challenges, but it evolved over time until it was able to deliver great levels of protection without any significant losses.
“During this process we worked very closely with businesses to understand their needs and to adapt the device to meet them. And we still use that same approach with our customers today.”
Over recent decades additional systems such as Vaccine Saver, Egg Remover, Chick Counter, HAYLO technology and Precixion technology have been developed.
Research has also looked at vectors that protect against multiple diseases to extend the benefits of in-ovo vaccination against other diseases.
“The technology has been developed so well over the last 30 years that the quality and reliability enables pharmaceutical companies to use our devices in the production of human influenza vaccine as well as many animal health vaccines,” added Mr Shuey,
