MSD Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., announced a partnership agreement with Vinovo B.V., a division of the leading hatchery automation company, Viscon Hatchery Automation. The synergistic partnership, which was announced during a signing ceremony at the VIV Europe World Expo, will bring together MSD Animal Health’s broad vaccine product line and Vinovo’s vaccine delivery system to provide safe and effective in ovo vaccination, in hopes of improving bird welfare, reducing vaccine reactions and providing greater protection for the chickens.
“This is a true partnership, bringing together our broad vaccine portfolio which protects poultry against highly infectious diseases with Vinovo’s top-of-the-line novel delivery system technology to help poultry growers around the world,” said Taylor Barbosa, DVM, Ph.D., ACPV, executive director, global poultry marketing, MSD Animal Health.
Viscon is excited about the opportunity to work with Merck. “This will accelerate our in ovo business and worldwide presence in sales and services, which will be beneficial for our existing and future customers,” said Bas Smaal, general manager, Viscon Hatchery Automation.
Viscon has specialized in hatchery automation for more than 25 years. “This partnership supports our main drive to create competitive advantages and continuity for our clients through efficient, reliable, cost-effective and future proof automation solutions that can grow and change with their organization,” said Smaal.
Through this partnership Merck believes they can provide safe in ovo vaccination for better protected and healthier birds.
This year’s VIV Europe World Expo, held in Utrecht, Netherlands, focused on new technologies for smart food production – applying advanced and innovative methods, like those highlighted through this partnership, hence the companies’ decision to announce their agreement there.
When Barbosa was asked how long the companies had been working together to reach the agreement they declinced comment. It is also unknown if Merck is working with other companies in other sectors of the livestock industry to make similar agreements.
Large companies in the U.S., such as Tyson Foods, are already announcing new facilities with fully automated candling and transfer unit with in-ovo vaccination systems.
