Virbac to distribute Prevtec microbia's innovative Coliprotec® vaccine in Brazil

MONTREAL, March 28 /PRNewswire/ - Virbac, the 8^th largest veterinarian pharmaceutical group worldwide, has concluded an exclusive Distribution and Trademark Licence Agreement with Prevtec microbia, a Canadian veterinarian laboratory, for the distribution of the Coliprotec^® vaccine in Brazil.

Coliprotec^® is a live bacterial vaccine developed by Prevtec microbia that prevents post-weaning diarrhea in pigs. Prevtec microbia recently secured government approval for the distribution of its first vaccine in Brazil, through its subsidiary, Prevtec microbia do Brasil. Virbac will be its exclusive distributor in this emerging country, which is the third largest producer of pork in the world. The contract with Virbac, concluded with the help of the Trifermed Group, is Prevtec microbia's first international distribution agreement.

Michel Fortin, President of Prevtec microbia stated "This distribution agreement with one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, validates the quality of the work of the research team at Prevtec, a young Canadian agro-pharmaceutical company, which started operations only 5 years ago".

Thierry Gozlan, Area Director of Virbac Latin America, declared that this agreement will strengthen Virbac's already strong growth in Brazil, through its subsidiary, Virbac do Brasil Ltda. Coliprotec^® also consolidates Virbac's recent entry into the market segment of food-producing animal vaccines.

Coliprotec^® is a pure culture of non virulent E. coli bacteria, administered orally to piglets in their drinking water. A healthy alternative to antibiotics, it can be easily, safely and economically used for prophylaxis. Unlike antibiotics, the efficacy of Coliprotec does not reduce with use. "Coliprotec^® perfectly fits Virbac's thrust towards promoting responsible use of veterinary medicines", said Thierry Gozlan.

Brazil a world class swine producer, is expected to increase its production and export and has undertaken to improve its production methods. "Being a vaccine, and not an antibiotic, Coliprotec® is in accordance with best practices in the care and feeding of food-producing animals and can enhance production performance", also stated Michel Fortin.

Founded in 1968 in Carros close to Nice (France), Virbac has become the world's first independent laboratory dedicated exclusively to animal health. With a turnover of €572.5 million in 2010, the company ranks today as the 8^th largest veterinarian pharmaceutical group worldwide. Its wide range of vaccines and medicines for both companion and food-producing animals are appreciated by veterinarians and animal owners alike. Present in more than 100 countries, the company has more than 3150 employees.

Prevtec microbia is a Canadian company with offices in Montreal and Saint-Hyacinthe (Quebec) as well as in Saskatoon (Saskatchewan). Its mission is to develop new products and technologies to improve animal health and to increase performance in the production of food animals, such as pigs, poultry and cattle. The company has undertaken to get regulatory approval for Coliprotec^® and two other of its products in several countries on three continents.

SOURCE Prevtec Microbia