Merial, Now Part of Boehringer Ingelheim, Grows Canine Vaccine Portfolio With Introduction of RECOMBITEK® Oral Bordetella

DULUTH, Ga., Feb. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Merial, a global leader in animal health, today completes a major addition to its canine vaccine portfolio with the launch of RECOMBITEK Oral Bordetella, a conveniently packaged oral vaccine shown to be effective against canine infectious tracheobronchitis caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica.  

RECOMBITEK Oral Bordetella is administered in the dog's buccal cavity (inside the cheek). Clinical studies suggest that as a mucosal vaccine, it offers dogs a robust immune response after a single dose.¹

"Because of the disease's common name, "kennel cough," people may think it's a disease only kenneled animals can get," said Frank Capella, DVM of Village Veterinary Hospital in Canastota, NY. "But it causes a highly contagious disease spread through social contact. Many dogs are at risk. Vaccination by a veterinarian remains the first line of defense."

B. bronchiseptica stands out as one of the primary pathogens responsible for canine infectious respiratory disease complex, a serious condition whose signs include coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or ocular discharge, lethargy and loss of appetite. In severe cases, signs can progress to lower respiratory disease, such as pneumonia, and even death. B. bronchiseptica is unique in its ability to evade the immune system for weeks to months. During this time, a dog that appears clinically normal could be exposing other dogs.

"Merial, now a part of Boehringer Ingelheim, is pleased to expand its portfolio with an oral Bordetella vaccine," said Zach Mills, DVM, executive director of Boehringer Ingelheim's U.S. Pet Vet Veterinary Professional Services. "For many dogs, oral delivery may mean a less stressful experience without the unpleasant sneeze backs of alternative vaccines delivered through the nose. The packaging's flip-top vial cap allows for easy opening by veterinary staff, and the safe, needle-free pipette simplifies the vaccination process while reducing risk of injury."

RECOMBITEK vaccines are proven and backed up by the Pet Vaccines Customer Satisfaction Guarantee.

RECOMBITEK vaccines are manufactured by Merial. Merial is now a part of Boehringer Ingelheim.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
As the second largest animal health business in the world, Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving animal health. With more than 10,000 employees worldwide, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has products available in more than 150 markets and a global presence in 99 countries. For more information about Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, click here.

Boehringer Ingelheim
For more than 130 years, innovative medicines for people and animals have been what the research-driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim stands for. Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the industry's top 20 pharmaceutical companies and, to this day, remains family owned. Day by day, some 50,000 employees create value through innovation for three business areas: human pharmaceuticals, animal health and biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing. In 2016, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of around 15.9 billion euros. With more than 3 billion euros, R&D expenditure corresponds to 19.6 percent of net sales.

Social responsibility comes naturally to Boehringer Ingelheim. That is why the company is involved in social projects such as the "Making More Health" initiative. Boehringer Ingelheim also actively promotes workforce diversity and benefits from its employees' different experiences and skills. Furthermore, the focus is on environmental protection and sustainability in everything the company does.

More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found at boehringer-ingelheim.com or in our annual report: http://annualreport.boehringer-ingelheim.com

RECOMBITEK^® is a registered trademark of Merial.
©2018 Merial Inc. Duluth, GA. All rights reserved.
REC18OBPR-1 (2/18)

¹ Data on file.

SOURCE Merial