Boehringer Ingelheim 2003 Advancement in PRRS Research Awards Announced
Boehringer Ingelheim Advancement in PRRS Research Awards Announced St. Joseph, MO (March 17, 2003) – In the continuous search to find practical methods of controlling, managing and possibly eradicating Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. is providing funding for three, $25,000 research awards and an additional $12,500 research award. The proposals were reviewed by an independent PRRS Research Review Board (PRRB) and the awards awarded during the recent AASV Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Recipients and topics of the Advancement in PRRS Research Awards are:
- Dr. Darwin L. Reicks
Swine Vet Center – St. Peter, Minnesota
Timeline for Detection of PRRS in Semen by PCR Testing and Sensitivity of Pooling Samples - Dr. Scott Dee and Satoshi Otake
University of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minn.
Assessing the Risk of PRRSV Transmission by Transport Vehicles - Dr. Jeff Zimmerman
Iowa State University – Ames, Iowa.
Determination of the Infectious Dose for Transmission of PRRS Virus by Oral Exposure - Dr. Robert (Bob) Morrison
University of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minn.
Controlling PRRS: The Use of GIS to Determine Area-based Prevalence and the Association between Proximity of Non-linked Herds and Percent Homology in Pig Farms
Because PRRS virus affects an estimated 80 percent of all U.S. swine herds, research and development of solutions to control this economically devastating reproductive and respiratory disease is crucial.
“As a long-standing partner with the swine industry, Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to funding independent research efforts for PRRS control,” says George Heidgerken, president and COO, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. “We understand the economic losses that this disease creates. That’s why the Advancement in PRRS Research Award is designed to encourage research that results in practical application of PRRS control strategies. This type of independent research is essential for today’s pork producer.”
Candidates for the Awards included graduate students, academic researchers, company and private researchers and practicing veterinarians in the NAFTA region. All proposals were subject to a rigorous review and selection process by the independent PRRB. Members of the PRRB include: Luc Dufresne, DVM, PIC – Franklin, Kentucky; Pat Halbur, DVM, PhD, Iowa State University; Bill Mengeling, DVM, PhD, Diplo. ACVM, Iowa State University; Tim Loula, DVM, Swine Vet Center – St. Peter, Minnesota; and Scott Dee, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplo. ACVM, University of Minnesota.
Upon completion of the year-long research projects, the PRRB will conduct a second evaluation and the first place award recipient will receive an additional $5,000; second place, $3,000; and third place, $1,000.
The Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies, headquartered in Ingelheim (Germany), is one of the 20 leading pharmaceutical firms in the world. In 2001, it reported revenues of US $6 billion. Boehringer Ingelheim, which has some 140 affiliated companies in 42 countries worldwide, focuses on human pharmaceuticals and animal health. The human pharmaceuticals business, which accounts for 95% of sales, is comprised of prescription medicines, consumer health care products and chemicals and biopharmaceuticals for industrial customers. Research and development, production, and distribution facilities are located around the globe. In 2001, Boehringer Ingelheim’s R&D spending was more than US $900 million, which is almost a fifth of net sales in prescription medicines.
For more information on Boehringer Ingelheim, please see the international Internet website http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com or the vetmedica site at http://www.bi-vetmedica.com.
