MSD Animal Health Demonstrates Strong Commitment to Ruminant Health

Company to present a record 80+ abstracts at World Buiatrics Congress

Data include first-ever field study evaluating prevalence of bovine coronavirus (BCoV) in Europe

Madison, N.J., Aug. 29, 2022– MSD Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), announced today that a record of more than 81 abstracts with support from MSD will be presented at the World Buiatrics Congress (WBC) in Madrid, Spain, September 4-8, including an oral presentation featuring the first pan-European field study evaluating the farm prevalence of bovine coronavirus (BCoV) in dairy production.

“The World Buiatrics Congress brings together veterinary practitioners and scientists from all around the world, and MSD Animal Health is proud to join our colleagues in the ruminant community to share new data and further the exchange of ideas via a record contribution of over 80 abstracts across 14 categories,” said Philippe Houffschmitt, DVM, AVP, Global Ruminant Business, at MSD Animal Health. “With our shared goal of ensuring better animal health and welfare, public health and trust in food, MSD Animal Health remains committed to exploring and expanding prevention and the use of technology in modern dairy and beef farming to maximize operational efficiency and transparency.”

Preliminary field study results find all herds in the EU dairy cattle population seropositive to bovine coronavirus (BCoV)

Preliminary results from 93 dairy farms in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and Slovakia will be presented, indicating that bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is commonly present in both the respiratory and enteric pathways in the dairy cattle population in Europe. The ongoing study will also characterize farm-level risk factors in management and biosecurity that are linked to BCoV infection in neonatal and weaned dairy calves.

  • Abstract 1437: Prevalence, Biosecurity and Risk Management of Coronavirus Infections on Dairy Farms in Europe; Monday, September 5, 3:00pm, BERLIN room.

BCoV is a member of a family of viruses associated with both enteric and respiratory diseases in a wide range of hosts including ruminants. While BCoV has been well-established as a cause of diarrhea in cattle, its role as a respiratory pathogen has been less defined. The first study of its kind generated evidence that BCoV may result in respiratory infections in cattle with histopathological lesions and clinical signs.

  • Abstract 1162: Clinical Disease and Histopathology Associated with Respiratory Infection by Bovine Coronavirus; Poster Presentation displayed on Wednesday, September 7 and Thursday, September 8.

SenseHub® automated monitoring technology identifies those animals that need attention, improving farm prosperity and animal well-being.

The use of technology in modern dairy and beef farming is increasing. SenseHub® automated monitoring systems provide actionable insights for dairy cattle, cow-calf and feedlot operations. By assessing cattle behavior, there is the potential to improve farm reproduction outcomes, health status assessment and productivity.

MSD Animal Health will present new findings from a study of its SenseHub automated monitoring system that assessed dairy cow behavior and health before and after calving as well as health monitoring solutions in suckling dairy calves. The implementation of a dairy monitoring solution in a U.S. dairy farm showed an improvement in daily milk yield by 2.1 liters per cow and a reduction in the percentage of two or more lactation cows that did not reach 27 liters at week four after calving.

  • Abstract 1144: Changing the course of fresh cows by using objective monitoring; Wednesday, September 7, 9:00am, BERLIN room

Comparative study of teat sealants advances non-antibiotic solutions for intramammary infections

Internal teat sealants such as ShutOut™ are increasingly used in dairy cows as a non-antibiotic solution for the prevention of new intramammary infections in the dry period, the timeframe when cows are at the greatest risk. This comparative study of teat sealants identified characteristics that impact convenience of application, which can be important in large herds where large amounts need to be administered in a short period.

  • Abstract 1426: Comparison of physical properties of 6 different teat sealant brands on the U.S. market

Additional studies to be presented at WBC

E. coli, one of the major causes of neonatal calf diarrhea, is known to adhere to receptors on the small intestinal epithelium via their fimbriae, F5 (K99) and F41.[i] This study describes the presence of both E. coli F5(K99) and F41 fimbriae in the multivalent enteric vaccine Bovilis® Rotavec®Corona. The ratio of both fimbriae was found constant in different antigen batches. After immunization of pregnant cows, a strong antibody response against both F5 and F41 is measured in the serum and colostrum of vaccinated animals.

  • Abstract 1127: Characterization of F5(K99) and F41 fimbria present on E. coli used in a multivalent cattle vaccine and its associated immunological responses in pregnant cows; Poster presentation displayed on Monday, September 5 and Tuesday, September 6.

Vaccination of calves at day of birth has proven safe and effective. Bovilis® INtranasal RSP® Live is an intranasal vaccination to help protect young cattle against respiratory disease, and the only EU-licensed vaccine against BRD that can be administered from birth onwards.

  • Intranasal vaccination of calves at day of birth with a live attenuated vaccine Bovilis® INtranasal RSP® Live against Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) and Live bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI3); New approved indication of Bovilis INtranasal RSP® Live, information available at the MSD Animal Health booth.

Join us for our symposium, “Connected Cattle: The benefits of smart monitoring solutions in veterinary medicine”

On Wednesday, September 7, MSD Animal Health will host a symposium featuring data-driven insights bridging veterinary science and monitoring technology. Experts will present recent innovations in monitoring solutions to empower veterinarians and improve animal health and on-farm efficiency, including:

  • SenseHub® Dairy & SenseHub® Cow calf, 24/7 monitoring solutions that can help improve reproduction outcomes, health status assessment and productivity. By monitoring cattle behavior, the system provides relevant actionable insights in reproduction, health, nutrition and animal well-being.
  • SenseHub® Feedlot is a health monitoring solution that decreases mortality and optimizes labor. By analyzing key parameters such as activity and ear canal temperature, SenseHub® Feedlot delivers real-time actionable information on the health and wellbeing of cattle.
  • WHISPER® ON ARRIVAL is a precision technology for beef calves that uses multiple factors to predict which animal may be at higher risk of illness. Farmers and veterinarians can use this information to determine a strategy for the treatment of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD), one of the most prevalent diseases in beef cattle.
  • The DataLive™ platform is an innovative dashboard for veterinary clinics that provides insights at group and herd level, to empower sustainable choices by the veterinarian.

DATE: Wednesday, September 7, 2022
TIME: 15:00 – 16:30 CEST (9:00-10:30 a.m. EDT)
LOCATION: Roma Room, Floor 2

MSD Animal Health scientific publications as well as a recording of the symposium will be available on
msd-animal-health-ruminants.com after the congress.

About MSD Animal Health

At MSD, known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA in the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases. MSD Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business unit of MSD. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, MSD Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability and monitoring products. MSD Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. MSD Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.msd-animal-health.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Forward Looking Statement

This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of the global outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19); the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

[i] Shams Z, Tahamtan Y, Pourbakhsh A, Hosseiny MH, Kargar M, Hayati M. Detection of enterotoxigenic K99 (F5) and F41 from fecal sample of calves by molecular and serological methods. Comp Clin Path. 2012;21(4):475-478. doi:10.1007/s00580-010-1122-2.