Zoetis has launched CircoMax – a new Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV2) vaccine that includes two genotypes, a and b – in the UK.
CircoMax is the only straight PCV2 vaccine licensed to protect against PCV2a, PCV2b and PCV2d, the three genotypes identified in the UK pig herd. It provides broad protection against the ever-evolving PCV2 threat, the company said.
PCV2 continues to evolve in pig populations. Initially, PCV2a was the most prevalent genotype, and was therefore the antigen included in all commercial PCV2 vaccines. The virus then shifted to PCV2b, and now PCV2d is the dominant genotype, research published this year shows.
“PCV2 has one of the highest mutation rates among DNA viruses. The genotypes are divided into ‘clusters’. The PCV2b and PCV2d genotypes belong to the same cluster and are phylogenetically closely related,” explained Prof. Heiko Nathues, at the University of Bern.
Studies have demonstrated that CircoMax, containing two genotypes (PCV2a and PCV2b), can provide biologically superior protection than a single PCV2 genotype vaccine, the company added.
CircoMax is designed to stimulate both cell-mediated and antibody-based immunity, with the goal of providing an immune response like that induced by a natural infection.
Zoetis said it was an easy-to-administer, ready-to-use, single-dose vaccine with a duration of immunity (DOI) of 23 weeks. It is formulated with the MetaStim adjuvant and has a demonstrated safety profile as described in the summary of product’s characteristics (SPC).
Zoetis now offers the new CircoMax, along with the combined vaccine CircoMax Myco for simultaneous effective vaccination against PCV2 and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, also in a ready-to-use single-dose formulation.
“The swine industry faces continuous disease challenges; our research has consistently demonstrated that, with the dual PCV2 genotype technology in CircoMax and CircoMax Myco, we achieve broad protection against PCV2, and therefore increase the chances of protection against continuously evolving PCV2 genotypes,” said Alvaro Aldaz, Director, Global Commercial Development, Swine, Zoetis.