Prevtec Microbia has been the recipient of a CAD $2.5 million investment from some of the company shareholders to support the launch of its second vaccine in the EU. Telesystem, Desjardins-Innovatech, Grupo Corporativo Fuertes and Echo Capital FIER Outaouais participated in this round.
“We are very pleased with this contribution from our shareholders to support our growth as our second vaccine is authorized for commercialisation in the EU,” said Michael Fortin, president and CEO, Prevtec Microbia. “This investment will allow us to expand our team in Europe and manage demand for our vaccine from European pig producers. Our partner and distributor, Elanco, plans to launch the bivalent Coliprotec F4/F18 vaccine in May 2017.”
Coliprotec F4/F18 is the first single dose oral vaccine intended for active immunisation of pigs against enterotoxigenic F4- and F18-positive Escherichia coli, the two most important agents of post-weaning diarrhoea. EU-wide market authorisation for the vaccine was received from the European Commission at the beginning of the year.
“As a major breakthrough in the fight against post-weaning diarrhoea in pigs, Coliprotec F4/F18 is a significant addition to our range of vaccines in Europe. We see this as a further opportunity to deliver innovation and value to our customers, offering them a new vaccine to protect piglets against PWD,” said Ramiro Cabral, head of Elanco operations for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Prevtec Microbia is a Canadian biotechnology company that develops biological products for the prevention of diseases in food animals.