Pfizer Animal Health to Expand Access to E. coli O157 Vaccine from Epitopix for Beef Cattle

Salmonella Newp or t Cattle Vaccine Also Part of Pfizer Animal Health’s Licensing Agreement

“Pfizer Animal Health supp or ts cattle producers’ continuing strides against harmful bacteria, often the most frequent causes of food borne illnesses in people,” said Juan Ramón Alaix, president, Pfizer Animal Health. “We want m or e cattle producers to benefit from this imp or tant vaccine to help reduce the prevalence and shedding of E. coli.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted a conditional license last year to Epitopix f or this first and only Escherichia Coli Bacterial Extract vaccine available in the U.S. It is labeled f or use in cattle to help reduce the prevalence of E. coli O157 in cattle and feces. This helps to minimize E. coli exposure and infection of herd-mates. 

As part of its licensing agreement, Pfizer Animal Health also acquired global rights to Epitopix’ conditionally licensed Salmonella Newp or t bacterial extract vaccine^*. Currently available in the U.S. from Agri Lab or at or ies, Ltd., of St. Joseph , Missouri under a USDA conditional license, it will become an exclusive part of Pfizer Animal Health’s livestock p or tfolio in the U.S. beginning in 2011

Pfizer Animal Health and Epitopix will conduct additional potency and efficacy studies on both vaccines to secure a full license f or each from the USDA. Terms of the global licensing agreement were not disclosed.

“The R&D strength, global reach, and marketing expertise of Pfizer Animal Health make it an ideal partner f or Epitopix,” said Epitopix General Manager Jim Sandstrom. “By w or king in close cooperation, our mutual aim is to quickly broaden the availability of these imp or tant vaccines to the beef and dairy industries, as part of Pfizer Animal Health’s comprehensive p or tfolio of cattle products and services.”

About E. coli Infection in People

The U.S. Centers f or Disease Control (CDC) estimates approximately 70,000 cases occur in people annually. However, the CDC acknowledges that most cases of E. coli O157 go unrep or ted. The symptoms of E. coli O157 infections vary f or each person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If there is fever, it usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/less than 38.5˚C). Most people get better within 5–7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening.

About Epitopix

Epitopix LLC was founded in 2002 as an affiliate of Willmar Poultry Company, a subsidiary of Life-Science Innovations headquartered in Willmar , Minn. at the MinnWest Technology Campus, a 110 acre privately-owned technology business park. The mission of Epitopix is to provide the food animal industry with novel bacterial vaccines with the potential to be m or e broadly cross-protective and safer than conventional whole-cell bacterins or live bacterial vaccines. Epitopix owns a family of patents related to the utilization of bacterial iron-acquisition proteins f or use as vaccine antigens. F or m or e inf or mation, visit www.Epitopix.com.

About Pfizer Animal Health

Pfizer, Inc, the w or ld’s largest research-based biomedical and pharmaceutical company, also is a w or ld leader in discovering and developing innovative animal vaccines and prescription medicines, investing an estimated $300 million annually. In the first quarter of 2010, Pfizer Animal Health generated revenue of $846 million, and f or full-year 2009, $2.8 billion, including revenue from Wyeth/F or t Dodge since Pfizer’s acquisition in October.  

In addition to helping assure a safe, global food supply from healthy food animals, Pfizer Animal Health also helps dogs, cats and h or ses to live healthy longer. F or additional inf or mation on Pfizer’s p or tfolio of animal products and services, visit www.PfizerAnimalHealth.com.

*Notice: This product license is conditional. Efficacy and/ or potency of this product have not been fully demonstrated. Consultation with a veterinarian is recommended.

©2010 Pfizer Animal Health. All rights reserved. GCA10053.

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