Elanco Animal Health Introduces New Respiratory PRRS Vaccine

GREENFIELD, Ind., June 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Elanco Animal Health, a division of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), today announces licensing of Prevacent^® PRRS by the USDA, a modified-live respiratory vaccine that has been shown to be effective in the reduction of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), respiratory form, in piglets two weeks or older.

PRRS means fewer pigs, higher costs  
Since its emergence in the late 1980s, PRRS has cost the swine industry millions annually in respiratory disease in piglets and reproductive failure in sows.

"PRRS has grown to be a costly and challenging disease that is difficult to control at the local, regional and national levels," says Chris Chavis, senior director, Elanco North America Food Animal Business. "We are eager to bring producers a new product to tackle this devastating disease."

Currently, it is estimated that PRRS costs the swine industry $560 to $660 million annually, with the breeding herd costs accounting for 45 percent of the total industry cost. ¹ 

Long-lasting immunity  
"Elanco is excited to be able to provide producers and the entire swine industry with a new product that is proven effective against the respiratory form of PRRS," says Chavis. "Not only is it safe to use in piglets two weeks or older, Prevacent PRRS has a demonstrated duration of immunity of 26 weeks for the respiratory form of PRRS."

The viral strain in Prevacent PRRS is highly relevant to today's swine operations so producers can be confident that they are getting effective protection against the respiratory form of PRRS for their piglets.

Cross-protection studies 
"The contemporary strain in Prevacent PRRS demonstrated cross protection against multiple difficult viral strains that may pose a threat to swine operations. Prevacent PRRS is a timely and effective solution for to meet the PRRS challenges producers are facing today," says Chavis. 

Prevacent PRRS is a key part of Elanco's Full Value Pigs^®, which includes a complete portfolio of products that help to control specific enteric and respiratory diseases.

About Elanco 
Elanco provides comprehensive products and knowledge services to improve animal health and food-animal production in more than 70 countries around the world. We value innovation, both in scientific research and daily operations, and strive to cultivate a collaborative work environment for more than 6,500 employees worldwide. Together with our customers, we are committed to raising awareness about global food security, and celebrating and supporting the human-animal bond. Founded in 1954, Elanco is a division of Eli Lilly and Company. Our worldwide headquarters and research facilities are located in Greenfield, Indiana. Visit us at Elanco.com and EnoughMovement.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) about Prevacent PRRS as a treatment for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome and reflect Elanco's current belief. As with any vaccine products, however, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of development and commercialization. Among other things, there can be no guarantee that future study results will be consistent with the results to date or that the product will be commercially successful. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see Lilly's most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Elanco undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.

¹Neumann, E.J., et al. (2005). Assessment of the economic impact of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome on swine production in the United States. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 227(3), 385-392.

Prevacent, Full Value Pigs, Elanco, and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. 
© 2018 Elanco or its affiliates. 
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SOURCE Elanco